Kayak grew store distribution +10.4% in the past year – leading Branded Discount MST brands over the last 52 weeks.
LOADED WITH LEADERS
Kayak’s portfolio includes some of the highest-performing SKUs in the Branded Discount category.
KAYAK TUBS MAKE A BIGGER SPLASH
With over 137% YTD volume growth, Kayak tubs are setting the pace.
SOURCE: MSAI YTD ENDING 6/14/2025
THE 2025 TOP WOMEN IN CONVENIENCE ARE SHAPING AND CHANGING THE INDUSTRY
MIDYEAR REPORT CARD
Protect your business, prevent underage access to tobacco products, and help ensure that retail remains the most trusted place to buy tobacco products with Age Validation Technology (AVT).
AVT reduces the likelihood of selling tobacco products to underage individuals. It’s simpler for associates to execute rather than manually entering in date of birth.
EASY TO EXECUTE
The AVT system saves on transaction times.
AVT protects the future/viability of innovative products and harm reduction.
Tobacco Product Scanned Prompt to Scan for Age Validation Verify and Scan I.D. POS System Validates Transaction Continues
A Trip Down Memory Lane
For 20 years, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolution of convenience retailing
THIS MONTH marks my 20th anniversary with Convenience Store News. On Aug. 1, 2005, this former newspaper reporter joined the brand as a staff writer, knowing nothing about business-to-business publishing and very little about the convenience and fuel industry.
Over the past two decades, I’ve learned a lot, had the pleasure of interviewing hundreds of very smart and talented people, and got a front-row seat to the evolution of this dynamic industry.
As I take a trip down memory lane, I thought it would be fun to look back on some of the first stories I wrote for CSNews and see if they still have relevance. Here’s a small sampling:
Energy on Tap: Convenience store retailers are infusing their fountain programs with a new type of beverage — the energy drink — and the results they’re seeing are supercharged.
A Wracking Matter: As more magazine distributors do away with full service, the periodicals category is getting tougher to manage, forcing some c-store retailers to downsize.
Targeting Employee Theft Through Technology:
Internal shrink remains c-stores’ No. 1 loss prevention issue, but one way retailers are minimizing losses is by linking their POS and video surveillance.
EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS (2016-2025)
2021 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award
Finalist, Best Infographics, June 2021
2018 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award
Finalist, Best Editorial Use of Data, June 2017
2023 American Society of Business Press Editors, National Azbee Awards
Silver, Data Journalism, January/April/June 2022
2023 American Society of Business Press Editors, Upper Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Gold, Data Journalism, January/April/June 2022
Bronze, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, March 2022
2016 American Society of Business Press Editors, National Azbee Awards Gold, Best How-To Article, March 2015
Bronze, Best Original Research, June 2015
2016 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Gold, Best How-To Article, March 2015 Silver, Best Original Research, June 2015
2020 Trade Association Business Publications
Intl. Tabbie Awards
Honorable Mention, Best Single Issue, September 2019
2016 Trade Association Business Publications
Intl. Tabbie Awards Silver, Front Cover Illustration, June 2015
Be Fearless in Foodservice: Wawa’s Harry McHugh tells Future Forum attendees that success in the category comes from taking risks and having great people to execute at the store level.
Well, some things have indeed changed — c-stores no longer have a robust section of periodicals for purchase. But some things have stayed the same — taking risks and having great people to execute at the store level remain cornerstones of foodservice success.
It certainly made me chuckle to see the energy drink referenced as “a new type of beverage” when today, these drinks populate rows upon rows in the cold vault and have branched out into so many different forms and functions.
I also find it interesting that convenience retailers are still trying to cut down on employee theft using technology, but in much more advanced ways these days. From artificial intelligence-powered cameras and audio insights to real-time data analytics, layered security tools are transforming how c-store operators prevent and respond to theft and crime.
There’s no denying that convenience retailing — and my knowledge of it — has come a long way in the past 20 years. I’m eager to see what the next decade brings!
For comments, please contact Linda Lisanti, Editor-in-Chief, at llisanti@ensembleiq.com.
2024 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine
Winner, Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, May 2024
Honorable Mention, Business to Business, Magazine Section, October 2024
2023 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine
Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, September 2022
Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, March 2023
2022 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine
Winner, Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, March 2022
Winner, Business to Business, Food & Beverage, Series of Articles, October 2021
Honorable Mention, Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, September 2021
2020 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine
Business to Business, Retail, Series of Articles, September 2019
2018 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine
Business to Business, Retail, Website
Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2017
Business to Business, Editorial Use of Data, June 2017
2017 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine
Winner, Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, May 2017
Honorable Mention, Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, June 2016
2016 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine
Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2015
Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, August 2015
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Laura Aufleger OnCue Express
Richard Cashion Curby’s Express Market
Billy Colemire Majors Management
Robert Falciani ExtraMile Convenience Stores
Jim Hachtel Core-Mark Chris Hartman Rutter’s
What’s Next for Couche-Tard?
More consolidation is likely following its acquisition of GetGo
ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD INC.’s completion of the $1.6-billion GetGo Cafe + Market acquisition on June 29 is a huge event in the convenience store world. With 270 GetGo sites added to its already massive Circle K footprint, Couche-Tard solidifies its standing as a dominant force in the U.S. c-store space.
From Couche-Tard’s perspective, this isn’t merely about scale — it’s about capability. GetGo brings strong regional loyalty, a robust myPerks rewards platform and a foodservice operation that rivals fast-casual chains. Coupling that with Circle K’s improving “Fresh Food, Fast” program means their combined food offerings could propel the chain’s foodservice reputation to a higher level. And with the acquisition, the retailer gains deeper inroads into the Mid-Atlantic region, an area less saturated by Circle K, but ripe with growth potential.
For independent chains, nimble regional operators and investor-backed groups,
this is a wake-up call.
This move, however, didn’t come without struggle. “This was a highly complex transaction,” Giant Eagle Chief Financial Officer David Burnworth said in a statement released by Matrix Capital Markets Group, which advised the company. Giant Eagle said it will now concentrate on its grocery store and pharmacy operations.
Regulators imposed conditions requiring Couche-Tard to drop 35 U.S. locations to reduce overlapping presence and protect competitive fuel pricing. That divestiture is easily manageable for a global operation spanning 16,700 stores. The spinoffs created an acquisition opportunity for a regional player, Majors Management, to pick up the parcels and grow more quickly.
What’s fueling this consolidation? Flattening fuel margins, intensifying foodservice competition and deepening rivalries among big-time operators such as 7-Eleven, Wawa, QuikTrip, Sheetz and now, even Walmart as more of the best-in-class chains push into one another’s markets.
Operators realize that customers expect high-quality food, fast rewards and frictionless experiences. GetGo and Circle K are stacking strengths to meet that demand, as evidenced by GetGo’s drive-thrus, wrap menu and loyalty integration.
The implications are wide-ranging:
1. Regional chains can grow more rapidly. Divested stores from large merger deals give local players a chance to scale up quickly and gain relevance, particularly if they invest in strong loyalty and foodservice.
2. Foodservice becomes a strategic battleground. As Couche-Tard leverages GetGo’s menu capabilities, expect a wave of upgrades across its Circle K banner, pulling the rest of the industry going forward.
3. Competitive lines sharpen. Expect price wars and loyalty promotions to ramp up. Retailers that fail to embrace bundling — fuel + loyalty + foodservice — will risk being sidelined.
Looking ahead, now that Couche-Tard has withdrawn its takeover bid for 7-Eleven’s parent, Seven & i, all eyes go to what’s next for the Canadian-based, international behemoth. The GetGo deal shows Couche-Tard knows how to execute nuanced, tactical acquisitions. Don’t be surprised if Couche-Tard sets its sights on another major deal.
Bottom line: Couche-Tard’s strategy sends a clear message that it’s not just about store count, but creating a multi-dimensional ecosystem. For independent chains, nimble regional operators and investor-backed groups, this is a wake-up call. Step up with foodservice innovation and customer loyalty or face being swallowed up in the next phase of convenience store consolidation.
For comments, please contact Don Longo, Editorial Director Emeritus, at dlongo@ensembleiq.com.
the bird
Say “Hi” to HiBird, an exciting new offering from McLane Fresh that delivers a delicious and comprehensive chicken program for any size C-store. While the main attractions are the flavorful chicken strips, chicken sandwiches, and signature HiBird Sauce, we also have creamy mac and cheese and thick, fluffy potato wedges. Even better, our chicken doesn’t require a fryer and comes with all the equipment and merchandising you need to hit the ground clucking.
Learn more at mclaneco.com/hibird
FEATURES
COVER STORY
26 Together We Thrive
The 2025 Top Women in Convenience are shaping and changing the industry.
NACS SHOW PREVIEW
85 Helping the Industry Level Up
The 2025 NACS Show will equip convenience retailers with the insights to move their businesses forward.
MIDYEAR REPORT CARD
91 Hoping for a Soft Landing
The first half of the year revealed signs of trouble, but it’s unclear what the second half will bring.
DEPARTMENTS
E DITOR’S NOTE
4 A Trip Down Memory Lane
For 20 years, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolution of convenience retailing.
VIEWPOINT
6 What’s Next for Couche-Tard?
More consolidation is likely following its acquisition of GetGo.
12 CSNews Online
19 New Products
SMALL OPERATOR
20 How to Be an Outstanding Independent
Convenience Store News’ inaugural summit provided actionable knowledge.
STORE SPOTLIGHT
114 Pilot Looks to the Future With New Flagship Site
8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Ste. 225, Chicago, IL 60631 (773) 992-4450 Fax (773) 992-4455 WWW.CSNEWS.COM
BRAND MANAGEMENT
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/GROUP PUBLISHER, CONVENIENCE NORTH AMERICA Sandra Parente sparente@ensembleiq.com
EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Linda Lisanti llisanti@ensembleiq.com
ART DIRECTOR Cristian Bejarano Rojas crojas@ensembleiq.com
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Pat Wisser pwisser@ensembleiq.com
MARKETING MANAGER Jakob Wodnicki jwodnicki@ensembleiq.com
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
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CORPORATE OFFICERS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Jennifer Litterick
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jane Volland
CHIEF
CHIEF
Ann Jadown
Derek Estey
TOP VIEWED STORIES
1
Convenience Retailers Rank Among NRF Top 100
Four convenience store operators made the National Retail Federation’s 2025 NRF Top 100 Retailers list, which ranks the largest companies according to 2024 U.S. sales. Among the industry players, 7-Eleven Inc. ranked the highest at No. 20.
Ferrero to Acquire Kellogg in $3.1B Deal
TWIC TALK: It’s About People, Not Politics
2
The transaction, expected to close in the second half of 2025, is part of Ferrero’s plan for strategic growth and expansion across more consumption occasions. The deal includes the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of WK Kellogg Co.’s portfolio of breakfast cereals.
3
FDA Reverses Course on Marketing Orders for JUUL System
The agency’s marketing granted orders (MGOs) came just over a year after it rescinded previous marketing denial orders. The MGOs cover the on-market JUUL System, which includes the JUUL Device and JUUL pods.
4
Fuel Retailers Face Customer Commitment Gap
Uncommitted customers, or those who routinely visit different brands, drive 34% of a fuel retailer’s revenue, according to a new report from Upside. These customers are value-seeking, digital and opportunistic.
5
Par Pacific Forms JV for Renewable Fuels in Hawaii
The company is teaming up with Mitsubishi Corp. and ENEOS Corp. to establish Hawaii Renewables LLC. The joint venture will produce renewable fuels at Par Pacific’s refinery in Kapolei, Hawaii.
EXPERT VIEWPOINT
Seven Tips to Upgrade C-store Beverage Programs
For convenience retailers looking to gain a frequent and loyal consumer base or compete with quick-service restaurants, offering a robust beverage program isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a must, writes Elizabeth Sommer, customer marketing manager for Rich Products Corp. To attract millennial and Gen Z customers who crave bold, unique flavors, she recommends c-store operators tap into drink trends such as customization, dirty soda, bubble tea, creamy concoctions and global flair.
According to a recent survey, the top reasons that some companies have walked back or abandoned their commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are political pressure and public scrutiny. What is perhaps most misunderstood about DEI, however, is that it is about people, not politics. In a recent webinar, Michelle Jolivet, founder and president of DEI Recruiting and Consulting and HR-Inclusion, and Rayma Alexander, director of corporate communications and diversity, equity and inclusion at The Wills Group, discussed establishing and maintaining a strong company culture that puts people first, supporting team members in meaningful ways, and fostering a respectful and welcoming workplace for all.
For more webinars, visit the CSNews Webinars section of CSNews.com.
MOST VIEWED NEW PRODUCT
The limited-edition f’real Brown Sugar Latte Milkshake and the permanent return of two fan-favorite flavors, Strawberry Shortcake and Cinnamon Churro, ushered in summer 2025. The Brown Sugar Latte Milkshake is a twist on the coffeehouse staple and contains 100 milligrams of caffeine. The Cinnamon Churro Milkshake, first launched in spring 2024, is packed with sweet, cinnamon spice. The Strawberry Shortcake Milkshake, first dropped in 2023, is described as a dreamy blend of real strawberries, real milk and shortcake flavors. Each 12-ounce f’real milkshake is priced at $3.99.
f’real foods LLC Emeryville, Calif. freal.com
WEBINAR
f’real Summer 2025 Flavors
Couche-Tard Pulls Bid for 7-Eleven Parent Company
The potential convenience mega-merger had been on the table since summer 2024
AFTER NEARLY A YEAR OF SPECULATION, negotiations, and stops and starts, Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ACT) rescinded its nonbinding bid to acquire Tokyo-based Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd., the parent company of 7-Eleven Inc.
The proposal, which would have united the global Circle K brand with retail powerhouse 7-Eleven, had been on the table since last summer. After an initial offer of roughly $38.5 billion, or $14.86 per share, ACT raised its bid to approximately $47 billion in October 2024.
The potential tie-up took a promising step forward this spring when the companies signed a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) that included customary and appropriate provisions, including a “standstill,” the detailed terms of which remained confidential. The NDA was meant to facilitate information-sharing beyond the information already being provided to potential divestiture package buyers, Seven & i stated at the time.
On July 16, however, ACT took its offer off the table — just days after Seven & i noted during its July 11 earnings call that it was seriously considering the proposal.
In a letter to Seven & i’s board of directors, ACT stated that it still believes “a combination of Seven & i Holdings (7&i) and ACT would create a global leader in convenience with the ability to better serve our stakeholders, grow the 7-Eleven brand and generate value for our respective shareholders.” But ACT went on to explain that “since entering into the NDA, there has been no sincere or constructive engagement from 7&i that would facilitate the advancement of any proposal, contrary to comments made publicly by 7&i representatives.”
ACT’s letter further stated that the quantity and substance of the permitted due diligence has been negligible. “Rather, you have engaged in a calculated campaign of obfuscation and delay, to the great detriment of 7&i and its shareholders,” the company said. “… Based on this persistent lack of good faith engagement, we are withdrawing our proposal.”
In a July 17 statement, Seven & i confirmed that CoucheTard ended discussions and withdrew its proposal to acquire the company. “While we are disappointed by
ACT’s decision and disagree with their numerous mischaracterizations, we are not surprised. Since ACT initially made its proposal, there have been significant changes in the global economy, exchange rates and financing markets,” Seven & i said in its statement.
A Special Committee of Seven & i’s board of directors issued a subsequent statement on July 22 and maintained that it “consistently engaged in good faith, and we are disappointed that ACT has decided to walk away from these discussions.”
Additionally, it stressed that any deal would have raised regulatory concerns and would not be consummated “without a very significant divestiture,” concerns that ACT did not take seriously, according to the committee. “As a result, the critical question was whether ACT could identify a viable buyer who would meet with the FTC’s [U.S. Federal Trade Commission] approval. They could not,” the committee said.
Seven & i reaffirmed its commitment to
maximize value for its shareholders and other stakeholders. “We remain fully committed to our standalone value creation plan, which we have been pursing in parallel, and to unlocking the value of our businesses, including our North American convenience store business,” the company said.
Eye on Growth
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is the new owner of GetGo Cafe+Markets. The company purchased approximately 270 GetGo and WetGo locations across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana from Giant Eagle Inc.
Parkland Corp. shareholders approved its sale to Sunoco LP by an overwhelming margin during the company’s annual and special meeting on June 24. The $9.1 billion deal is on track to close later this year.
Mirabito Convenience Stores acquired four locations in New York and Vermont from Stewart’s Shops. These c-stores further strengthen Mirabito’s presence in New York State and expand its banner into southern Vermont.
Retailer Tidbits
EG America is teaming up with Vroom Delivery to offer online ordering and delivery. Five hundred stores across EG America’s network are now live, with additional location rollouts to come.
ARKO Corp. debuted a new food concept, fas craves, at its first food-focused store in late June. The fas craves program will be a key feature of future store remodels across ARKO’s nationwide network.
Nisqually Markets continued its fuel rebranding initiative by converting its Lakewood, Wash., location to Nisqually Markets Fuel. This transition followed the rebranding of the retailer’s Yelm Highway, Wash., store earlier this year.
Simpson-Bladen Oil Co. Inc. dba Han-Dee Hugo’s purchased 15 Breeze Thru branded sites from Cary Oil Co. Inc., which will continue to operate its wholesale fuels distribution business.
Refuel Operating Co. LLC picked up eight c-stores in the greater Meridian and Jackson, Miss., markets. These newly acquired stores will become part of Refuel’s Double Quick brand.
Buc-ee’s entered Virginia with the opening of its first location on June 30. The 70,000-squarefoot-plus store made its debut in Mount Crawford.
Majors Management LLC completed its acquisition of 35 convenience stores from Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. The acquired sites will be rebranded to MAPCO over the coming months.
RaceTrac Inc. is now accepting Relay’s digital payments at all RaceTrac and RaceWay locations that are truck accessible. The payment solution is available at the retailer’s travel centers and high-flow diesel stores.
Circle K is rolling out an alcohol cashback program in partnership with Swiftly. Now live in more than 4,300 Circle K stores across 31 states, the program eliminates the hassle of traditional mail-in rebates for shoppers.
H&S Energy Group is rolling out electronic shelf labels, starting with seven locations to date. The company plans to expand the platform to its remaining convenience stores later this year and into 2026.
The transaction brings the MAPCO brand into Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania.
RaceTrac is also teaming up with Sensolus to track spare fuel pump parts transported between stores and distribution centers.
Supplier Tidbits
Mars Inc.’s acquisition of Kellanova is one step closer to wrapping up, clearing an antitrust review by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The deal is expected to close toward the end of 2025.
Core-Mark International, a Performance Food Group company, selected four winners for its 2025 Curated program. The hybrid startup accelerator and incubation program is designed to steward the best and brightest new products.
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McLane Co. Inc. is expanding its McLane Fresh offerings with the launch of a National Commissary program. The move is aimed at delivering fresh, never-frozen, grab-and-go foods with a seven-day refrigerated shelf life.
The owner of GSTV sold a majority of the forecourt video platform to asset management firm MidOcean Partners. The previous majority owner, private equity firm Rockbridge Growth Equity, will retain a minority stake in GSTV.
The Hershey Co.’s board of directors appointed Kirk Tanner to succeed Michele Buck as president and CEO, effective Aug. 18. Tanner spent more than three decades at PepsiCo Inc., where he ultimately served as CEO of PepsiCo Beverages North America.
is now available at six branded locations in Montana. The quick-service concept has achieved a presence in all 48 contiguous states.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken
The winners are PhoLicious, SimplyProtein, UNiTE Food and VALR Energy.
ONE
x
Truly Unruly Lemonade
Putting an adult twist on a summertime classic, Truly Hard Seltzer introduces a line of 8% ABV lemonade-inspired hard seltzers. The Truly Unruly Lemonade line features four flavors — Bumpin’ Blue Razz, “OG” Original, Punched-Up Pineapple and Wild Pink — which are available nationwide year-round in a 12-pack mix pack. Bumpin’ Blue Razz is also available in a 24-ounce single-serve can in select locations. According to the company, Truly Unruly Lemonade was created to appeal to drinkers who are looking for high ABV and single-serve flavors.
TRULY HARD SELTZER • BOSTON • TRULYHARDSELTZER.COM
Hershey’s Double Chocolate Protein Bar
Protein brand ONE reunites with Hershey’s to shake up the protein aisle with the new ONE x Hershey’s Double Chocolate flavored protein bar. With 18 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar, it’s an easy way to enjoy indulgent chocolate flavor while deliciously fueling a busy day, according to the maker. Made with real Hershey’s cocoa and chocolate chips, the protein bar is designed to deliver a sweet, satisfying and unforgettable flavor experience. The ONE x Hershey’s Double Chocolate flavored protein bar is currently available in select markets, with nationwide availability coming soon.
THE HERSHEY CO. • ONE1BRANDS.COM • HERSHEY, PA.
EarlyPT Pregnancy Test
Cadence OTC, a consumer healthcare company, introduces its EarlyPT Pregnancy Test into convenience stores nationwide. The move gives c-store operators the opportunity to better serve their communities while driving incremental sales, the company stated. The EarlyPT Pregnancy Test does not have any purchase restrictions and is available without an ID, age limit or state regulations. The product carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of less than $9.99 for two tests. Cadence OTC launched the Morning After Pill in c-stores nationwide last year.
Dixie Ultra SmartStock Mini Tri-Tower Cutlery Station
New from GP PRO, the Dixie Ultra SmartStock Mini Tri-Tower Cutlery Station comes in response to increased demand for dispensed cutlery and in recognition of the space limitations in convenience stores, foodservice establishments and breakrooms. Standing at 17.5 inches tall, the Mini Tri-Tower dispenser easily fits beneath standard hung upper cabinets and can hold 195 utensils. The dispenser, which can be wall mounted or placed atop a counter, provides pre-configured refills, touchless and automated dispensing, and either one-at-a-time or threein-one dispensing of knives, forks, spoons or sporks. Cutlery options include polypropylene, polystyrene and commercially compostable (where facilities exist). GP PRO • ATLANTA • GPPRO.COM/GP
Lula Direct
Lula Commerce debuts Lula Direct. The first-party ordering platform, which is powered by artificial intelligence, was purpose-built to help retailers take control of their digital storefronts. Lula Direct gives retailers the tools to increase profitability, own the customer relationship and unlock rich first-party data. Among its features, Lula Direct handles menu digitization, compliance, delivery setup and branding across all sites; tracks funnel performance down to the item level, enabling data-driven merchandising and continuous site optimization; and connects seamlessly with 30-plus systems, from loyalty platforms to point-of-sale and app providers.
LULA COMMERCE • PHILADELPHIA • LULACOMMERCE.COM
How to Be an Outstanding Independent
Convenience Store News’ inaugural summit provided actionable knowledge A Convenience Store News Staff Report
OF THE 152,255 CONVENIENCE STORES currently serving customers in the United States, 63% are owned by single-store owners or those with less than 10 stores in total. Despite their collective power, though, independents and small chains must work harder than large operators to shield themselves from the impact of increasing operational costs, difficulties around labor hiring and retention, and countless other challenges.
To help the convenience channel’s small operators not only navigate these challenges, but also elevate their businesses to better compete against large operators, Convenience Store News launched the Outstanding Independents Summit earlier this year.
The one-day virtual event featured a quick-hitting four-hour agenda that tackled today’s biggest pain points for small operators and provided valuable insights, expert advice and actionable knowledge that attendees could immediately implement to upgrade their operations.
The summit culminated in the presentation of the first-ever Outstanding Independents Awards, created to recognize single-store owners and small operators that are making a big impact in the industry despite their smaller size and more limited resources.
Read on for highlights from the event.
SCAN THE QR CODE BELOW TO WATCH THE SESSIONS:
The summit kicked off with a panel discussion that explored how small operators can better compete against larger chains by embracing what makes them distinct.
The fact that high-traffic corner locations are more likely to be occupied by large c-store chains and other businesses only makes it more important that small operators overcome that disadvantage by making themselves “unique, extraordinary, different,” said Mike Lawson, owner and operator of Roaster’s Market, which operates two convenience stores in Oklahoma.
He suggested that independents look at their competition and consider how they can do more than offer essentially the same lineup of products. For example, if they are offering a certain type of food, they can choose to offer a much higher-quality version even if it affects the price point.
Roaster’s Market challenges common practice by offering barista-crafted coffee and rotisserie food as the cornerstone of its menu. According to Lawson, there is only so much that retailers can do with products that will be the same from store to store, such as candy and beef jerky,
but they can make a difference with their coffee and prepared food offerings.
Damon Bail, vice president of operations and marketing at Owensboro, Ky.-based Valor Oil, operator of 10 HOP Shops locations, pointed out that not every point of differentiation has to be tied to something customers can buy. HOP Shops went viral for its disco-themed bathrooms, which feature special lighting, music and a spinning disco ball at the push of a button.
In addition to being good marketing, the disco bathroom experience suggests that bathrooms don’t have to be nonprofit-generating areas of stores. “I would challenge your thinking on that,” Bail told attendees, noting that consumers will often make a bonus purchase because they feel a little guilty when they enjoy a unique experience for free.
A standout digital presence is another way to make an impression. Peter Rasmussen, founder and CEO of Convenience & Energy Advisors, cited his work with Boise, Idaho-based Stinker Stores and its digital transformation, which included online ordering, a loyalty program and mobile app.
Small operators can succeed by rolling out a rich welcome offer to draw in customers and then use personalization efforts to keep them coming back. While loyalty programs as a concept are not unique, retailers can stand out in “how you execute it,” Rasmussen advised.
Independents and small operators are in a unique position to use local to their advantage, creating a customer experience that gets guests to return time and time again.
During the Outstanding Independents Summit, a panel of thought leaders from across the c-store industry shared effective customer engagement strategies. The participants included Tom Newbould, vice president of business transformation at W. Capra; Babir Sultan, president and CEO of Fav Trip; and Heather Webb, director of operations for Patron Points.
Customer engagement, according to Webb, has become synonymous with customer experience and providing the best experience possible isn’t just about products, it’s about a retailer’s value proposition. “Pick your adjective — faster, easier, better — and how you’re providing that to the customer,” she said.
“Getting the house in order” regarding the in-store experience is a must before investing in customer engagement tactics such as social media, mobile apps and SMS, according to Sultan.
“From the greeting to the signoff, understand how your customers are being treated, how they maneuver around your store. What are they seeing and experiencing? Once the in-person experience is taken care of, then we start investing in the online experiences and loyalty,” he said.
Where small operators have a leg up on some of the larger c-store players is their ability to look at everything holistically across their entire network. Smaller retailers who get to know their customers can customize their sets, ensuring they have the right mix of
products and leveraging data to know what’s driving customers into the store.
“When you’re up against one of the big players, you know they’re looking at things at a much higher level. [Small] operators have the ability to really drill down to the lowest level denominator and really make a difference to their customer base and drive those customers in by personalizing that offer to that particular community,” Newbould said.
Knowing what it is your customers want comes down to knowing your data. According to Newbould, scan data will help small operators understand what their best-selling products are, while related sales points can pinpoint what promotions are working.
Webb added that data from vendor and loyalty partners can also help small operators determine information such as dollars per transaction and basket size — particularly the basket size of loyalty members vs. nonloyalty guests.
At Fav Trip, Sultan said they are bringing scan data to the next level using artificial intelligence. Areas where the retailer leverages this technology include:
• Real-time inventory management: Audio AI detects stock issues and alerts managers, allowing for immediate reordering and vendor communication.
• Heat mapping for sales optimization: Video AI provides heat maps to identify high-traffic areas, guiding product placement and providing leverage in vendor negotiations.
• Improved staffing efficiency: AI helped reduce absentee instances from 1,600-plus in December to under 700 by March by analyzing staffing patterns and peak times.
With increasing operational costs chipping away at convenience store retailers’ profitability, retail management consultant John Matthews provided a deep dive into conducting a profit and loss (P&L) statement analysis at the Outstanding Independents Summit.
“This is something that is very near and dear to my heart, and something that is going to give you the opportunity to save some money along the way … and find those hidden pennies that add up to dollars that add up to annual savings that are truly found money,” said Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises, a Raleigh, N.C.-based management consulting company.
Many business owners today only look at their P&L statement at the end of each month, but Matthews declared that a mistake. He advocates for a proactive approach, which means looking at your P&L statement throughout the month and analyzing it line by line.
Small operators, and really convenience retailers of all sizes, need to understand what things are variable in nature vs. what things are fixed in nature, and how to manage each. For example, cost of goods and labor are variable expenses, while rent is usually a fixed cost. According to Matthews, there are select cases where a
retailer can negotiate a fixed cost like rent, but in most cases, it comes down to managing the variable costs.
Areas where small operators can extract savings from their P&L include:
• Utility expense management: install motion-activated lights; turn off machines when they’re not in use; run only one coffee maker at night rather than three or four
• Trash disposal: right-size the container for each store — trash companies make money based on the size of the container and the frequency of pickup
• Payroll expense: create schedules based on projected sales; cross-train all employees, which leads to a better workforce, happier employees and reduced turnover
• Repair & maintenance: put a preventative maintenance schedule in place
On the profit side, small operators have two levers to improve revenue and should use both:
1. Bring new customers into your store — use local store marketing techniques to reach every customer within a two- to three-mile radius of the business
2. Sell more to customers who are already there — run combo deals; launch a suggestive sales program; incentivize team members and hold internal contests
“Ultimately, you’re trying to keep your employees happy, you’re trying to keep them cross trained, you’re trying to keep them educated, you’re trying to keep them buying into the program and getting excited about success for your store,” Matthews said. “I’m a big believer in collaboration.”
Hiring the right employees and retaining them is an essential part of running a successful convenience store and delivering a top-notch customer experience. Unfortunately, labor difficulties continue to plague c-store retailers, especially small operators.
“Today’s labor challenge is one that everyone is facing in all sorts of retail and it really breaks down into three components. The first one is finding the potential employees to work in your store. Then once you find them, we’ve got to hire them and actually get them to sign. And finally, probably more important than anything else, is how do we keep those employees? The retention part of it,” explained Roy Strasburger, CEO of StrasGlobal, a privately held retail consulting, operations and management provider serving the small-format retail industry.
Citing data from the Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council, he said the biggest issues that keep people from working in the convenience channel are safety, long and inflexible hours, and low pay and benefits. Operators must overcome these perception issues by telling their story.
“You need to be proactive in letting people know what you want to do and what you have to offer,” Strasburger said. “When somebody is interested in working for you,
to overcome the concern about it being dangerous, talk about safety, talk about what you’re doing to protect employees and to make your store a safe working environment. And if you are not already doing these things, you need to put these things into place so that your customers and, more importantly, your employees will feel safe.”
To become an employer of choice, convenience retailers must be proactive in meeting employees’ concerns, try to make sure they’re happy, make sure they want to stay, and make sure they feel part of the team. Why people leave their jobs boils down to money, a negative work environment, safety issues, long hours and shifts, poor benefits and a feeling they are not getting enough from their jobs.
An important retention tip, according to Strasburger, is to have a good store manager. “They know how to handle people, they’re empathetic, they are good trainers,” he said.
Training is key for keeping employees, he emphasized. The better that someone understands their job, the longer they will stay in that position, he noted, adding that knowing what they need to do and having the confidence to make a decision adds greatly to job satisfaction.
Sponsors of the inaugural Outstanding Independents Summit & Awards Ceremony were presenting sponsor Altria Group Distribution Co., NRC Realty & Capital Advisors, Patron Points, Premier Manufacturing and S. Abraham & Sons. CSN
WE THRIVE
THE CONVENIENCE STORE INDUSTRY has made great strides in becoming a more inclusive workplace where differences are celebrated and companies benefit from diversity of thought and background. The 2025 class of Top Women in Convenience (TWIC) illustrates this progress.
From the C-suite to the store level, these exceptional women are shaping and changing the industry, supported by employers who give them the resources and opportunities to grow and thrive — and in turn, they are helping their companies and the industry thrive as well.
This year, Convenience Store News celebrates 100 established and emerging female leaders as part of its 12th annual Top Women in Convenience program. TWIC is the first and still only program that spotlights the integral role women play in convenience retailing and honors female leaders who are making outstanding contributions to their companies and the industry at large.
TWIC honorees are recognized in four categories:
Women of the Year: Retailer, supplier and distributor executives of any rank who have had an exceptional impact on the success or direction of their company, as well as a positive impact on the convenience store industry as a whole. These visionaries have steered their companies into new markets, new opportunities and strong measurable growth.
Senior-Level Leaders: Retailer, supplier and distributor executives at the level of C-suite, vice president or director who have transformed their business in a positive manner.
Rising Stars: Retailer, supplier and distributor professionals with job titles from store manager to below director who are making their mark on the industry, even at early stages of their careers.
Mentors: Retailer, supplier and distributor professionals of any rank who have made an extraordinary effort, and had an exceptional impact, on the careers of their colleagues.
The 2025 TWIC class is comprised of 39 Senior-Level Leaders, 45 Rising Stars and 10 Mentors from across the industry’s retailer, distributor and supplier communities. In addition, for the first time ever, a record six Women of the Year are being recognized.
The winners were chosen based on nominations received from their companies and peers. Drawing from achievements during the previous 12 months, nominators were asked to illustrate the candidate's innovative corporate initiatives, extraordinary financial and strategic accomplishments, astute problem-solving acumen, exceptional performance, mentorship work and its outcome for mentees, and selfless charitable participation, along with any other attributes that go above and beyond the call of duty.
All of this year's honorees will be celebrated at a ceremony held during the 2025 NACS Show in Chicago. The Top Women in Convenience Awards Gala and After Party will take place the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Marriot Marquis Chicago.
WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Lisa Blalock
President, US Convenience & Mobility bp Products North America
LISA BLALOCK joined bp two decades ago and has had a career that spans trading, fuel supply, marketing, digital and customer-facing leadership roles. Included on her impressive resume are stints as president of bp’s U.S. retail operating organization, vice president of marketing and data analytics, portfolio director of digital solutions, and director of marketing technology.
In 2023, she was promoted to her current role as president of US Convenience & Mobility at bp Products North America, which includes franchise and business-owned operations across the bp, Amoco, ampm and Thorntons brands. Considering bp’s growth trajectory over the past few years — which has notably included the company taking full ownership of Louisville, Ky.-based Thorntons in August 2021 — Blalock certainly has a full plate.
The US Convenience & Mobility division comprises approximately 1,300 stores across the United States, more than 3,600 team members and more than 250 franchisees. Blalock is also responsible for bp’s branded marketer and direct market businesses, which include more than 7,000 sites and approximately 200 branded marketer customers across the bp and Amoco brands in the U.S. At the same time, she serves the industry as a member of the NACS board of directors.
Full plate yes, but nothing she cannot handle.
According to Greg Franks, senior vice president of Mobility & Convenience, Americas at bp, “Managing customer relationships that span decades to a century in length, Lisa is both the engine and the glue that enables our success.”
During the two years in her current position, bp has achieved numerous business successes under Blalock’s leadership. In March 2024, the company launched its epic goods private label brand. The rollout debuted with bottled water and by the end of 2024, reached more than 50 SKUs across 10 categories at approximately 1,500 ampm, TravelCenters of America and Thorntons locations. That growth is continuing in 2025 with multiple new products and limited-time offers.
Not one to stand still, Blalock and her team also debuted bp’s first integrated loyalty program, earnify, in October 2024. Shortly after the program went live across the bp and Amoco network and more than 500 ampm sites on the West Coast, bp partnered with Amazon Prime to bring Prime members additional savings at the pump when they link their earnify membership. In 2024 alone, earnify saw more than 700,000 monthly active members and more than 650,000 monthly repeat transactors.
Blalock recently assumed responsibility for all bp Digital Services as well. After successfully supporting the development of a cloud-based, end-to-end solution known internally as the Retail Operating System, she has developed and now owns the implementation of a multiyear strategy that will see Digital Services scale and achieve best-in-industry status, Franks noted.
“Lisa’s passion and servant leadership have served as true north for her team as they have navigated significant change during her tenure,” he added. “Seen running a register, cooking food behind the counter and everywhere in the halls of the Store Support Center, she has earned the trust of her team, our customers and industry insiders.”
"Seen running a register, cooking food behind the counter and everywhere in the halls of the Store Support Center, she has earned the trust of her team, our customers and industry insiders."
— Greg Franks, bp
WOMAN OF THE YEAR:
Sandra Delli Carpini
Chief Marketing Officer
Seasons Corner Market/Colbea Enterprises LLC
YOU MIGHT SAY the convenience store industry is part of Sandra Delli Carpini's DNA. As a teenager, she began working with her parents, Valia and Mario Coletta, at their first gas stations in Providence, R.I. — a business that sprung from their desire to realize the American Dream when they moved to the United States from Italy.
Delli Carpini eventually took over the family business and with her husband Andy Delli Carpini, grew Colbea Enterprises LLC to 78 locations across Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. That growth included the launch of the Seasons Corner Market brand in 2012 and, more recently, the rollout of the Corner Market Café brand, which opened its 12th location in 2024.
Colbea, with 57 Seasons branded c-stores currently, has the highest market share in Rhode Island and continues to grow as a favorite local brand under Delli Carpini's vision. As she has said, “We are not just any convenience store, we’re Rhode Island’s convenience store."
Along the way, Delli Carpini has been driven by her mission to continue her parents' legacy by not only being part of the community, but also giving back in the most
meaningful way. The company contributes to local youth teams, hospitals, charities and the military — to name just a few.
Charitable endeavors through the Seasons brand reached new heights in 2024. Notably, almost $100,000 was donated to the Hasbro Children’s and Boston Children’s Hospitals, and a combined $270,000 was donated to the Alzheimer’s Association of Rhode Island, The Tomorrow Fund for children with cancer and the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation through Angels Giving Back, a nonprofit Delli Carpini founded in 2019.
She also continues to reinforce Colbea's culture, ensuring the organization meets the standards set by her parents. According to her nominator, every team member works with a sense of pride to deliver excellent standards, highlighted by Colbea winning the Crystal Award from Shell in 2022 and 2023 for being the No. 1 ranked wholesaler in the U.S. Last year, one of Colbea’s stores was awarded the 2023 Global Retailer of the Year award by Shell Mobility.
Delli Carpini prioritizes and assumes responsibility for the professional development of both corporate and frontline store personnel at Colbea. Through her mentorship and leadership, she’s facilitated numerous team members' advancement to higher-level positions within the organization.
Operations aside, she is an active member of the National and Regional Wholesale Councils for Shell in the U.S., taking part in strategic decision-making for the retail and convenience landscape across the country alongside Shell leadership and her fellow council members.
Delli Carpini
WOMAN OF THE YEAR:
Michelle Merrell
Vice President of Retailer Initiative Acceleration 7-Eleven Inc.
MICHELLE MERRELL joined 7-Eleven Inc. 13 years ago and was promoted to her current role of vice president of retailer initiative acceleration in 2024, after serving nearly two years as 7-Eleven’s zone vice president of corporate operations for the western zone.
Fostering collaborative relationships with the convenience retailer’s small operators and franchisees is at the heart of Merrell’s role today — no small feat given the size of 7-Eleven, the largest convenience store chain in the U.S.
The critical tasks involved in nurturing these relationships include providing strategic consultation and guidance to optimize sales performance, enhancing gross profit per store and bolstering net income.
As if that wasn’t enough, Merrell has a hand in orchestrating successful new convenience store launches for the company, which includes the execution of business plans and strategies tailored to the specific needs and dynamics of each channel partner.
According to her nominator, she also took on the enterprise-wide rollout of the Retailer Initiative (RI) — the brand's new proprietary retail information system — “without an existing roadmap, successfully driving its implementation across the organization.”
In collaboration with the Learning & Development Team, Merrell developed and launched comprehensive RI training, reaching more than 2,000 employees. Furthermore, in partnership with the Operations Team, she helped design two Retailer Initiative Model Markets that launched this year.
Her impact is being felt beyond the United States as well, as she facilitated international knowledge sharing by hosting teams from 7-Eleven Japan, 7-Eleven Australia and 7-Eleven Mexico for RI training.
Outside of her overall responsibilities at the company, Merrell is an executive sponsor of 7PRIDE, an associate business resource group (ABRG) at 7-Eleven focused on LGBTQ+ professionals and their allies. She’s also a member of another ABRG, the 7-Network of Executive Women, and serves as a member of the internal 7Mentor platform, providing knowledge and expertise to advance the development of employees across the 7-Eleven family of brands.
Merrell is a member of the 7Mentor platform, providing knowledge and expertise to advance the development of employees across the 7-Eleven family of brands.
TANISHA SANDERS is no stranger to the convenience retailing industry. For more than two decades, she has been instrumental in shaping federal and state policies that protect consumer choice, strengthen retailer competitiveness and drive sustainable growth for the industry.
For three of those more than 20 years focused on corporate and legislative affairs, Sanders has been with ITG Brands leading a team focused on public policy, federal and state affairs, external engagement and corporate communications.
Among her key responsibilities, she advocates on behalf of the c-store industry by influencing federal and state legislative agendas that directly impact retail sales and consumer access to products; advises ITG Brands’ president, CEO and board of directors on regulatory risks and strategic policy opportunities; and builds bipartisan relationships with key policymakers to ensure industry stakeholders have a seat at the table in legislative discussions.
As her nominator pointed out, Sanders’ leadership has resulted in major policy
victories that have directly benefited retailers, consumers and ITG Brands over the past year. Notably, she played a leading role — working alongside industry partners — in influencing the presidential administration to withdraw a federal menthol and flavor ban. This was a key win for not only the tobacco industry, but consumers and retailers as well.
Sanders also led the formation of a bipartisan and bicameral Congressional Cigar Association, securing critical support from lawmakers to protect flavored cigar sales, which are a key driver of convenience channel revenue.
On the state level, she worked to defeat 25 out of 26 state-level product bans, preserving substantial revenue for convenience stores and ensuring continued consumer access to ITG Brands’ portfolio. Additionally, her efforts protected an estimated $244 million in annual revenue by advocating against state-specific measures that would have restricted the sale of a key product acquisition.
Sanders has been serving as both board chair of the ITG Brands Political Action Committee and a member of the Convenience Distribution Association’s board of directors since 2022. She is also a member of both the Washington Heads of Office Leadership Council and the Business-Government Relations Council.
“Tanisha’s leadership and impact have been recognized both within ITG Brands and across the industry. Her ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, advocate for fair policies and drive meaningful change has earned her national recognition,” her nominator said. “Her contributions have strengthened the company’s position in the market, enhanced relationships with key stakeholders and reinforced ITG Brands’ reputation as a leader in the convenience sector.”
Among Sanders’ many recognitions, she received the 2025 and 2024 Women We Admire Award in Washington, D.C., for her influence, leadership and impact on the convenience industry.
"Her ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, advocate for fair policies and drive meaningful change has earned her national recognition."
— Sanders’ nominator
Tanisha
WOMAN OF THE YEAR:
Maggie Timoney President & CEO Heineken USA
AS A SEASONED LEADER in the alcoholic beverage industry, Maggie Timoney brings a wealth of expertise, notably 15 years of concentrated experience impacting the U.S. convenience store industry. Her comprehensive background encompasses everything from fostering distributor relationships and driving sales to strategic planning and human resources.
Timoney has led Heineken USA as CEO for the past six years. With her move to the top of the C-suite structure, she became the first woman CEO for a major beer company in the United States. Her appointment is a significant milestone in an industry traditionally dominated by men and a testament to her leadership.
That leadership comes at a pivotal time as the alcoholic beverage industry expands into the nonalcoholic space, with customers actively seeking more options. Timoney was instrumental in bringing Heineken 0.0, now the top-selling nonalcoholic beer, to the U.S. market.
One of Heineken's strategic initiatives for 2024 was to grow in that space within
the convenience channel. With the help of her team, Timoney successfully integrated a promotional plan for Heineken 0.0 for Dry January — which also served as a formative test-and-learn program for 7-Eleven Inc., the largest convenience retailer in the U.S.
In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Timoney is passionate about supporting and mentoring women in their careers, both internally and externally, knowing that women want to see themselves represented in leadership, according to her nominator.
She fosters mentorship programs for team members at all levels to develop talent for the organization, as well as the industry. "Maggie has the incredible ability to naturally make space for others at the table, making sure their voice is heard and opinions and viewpoints considered," her nominator pointed out.
Her career has been a testament to that. Over the course of her employment, Timoney has not been afraid to step outside her comfort zone. Along the way, she has proven that by doing so, you can be a catalyst for rounding out skillsets for future leadership roles.
She has openly said that CEOs don't have all the answers — and that they're not supposed to — but that empowering her team and playing to their strengths is how you win as a team.
"Maggie maintains focus on the things within her control — most importantly, her people — and ensuring they are her No. 1 priority. But [she] doesn't just say these things, she exemplifies them," her nominator stressed. "She has successfully implemented a powerfully positive culture at Heineken USA and it bleeds into her business partners. Whether a distributor, retailer, marketing agency or news outlet, she exudes inclusivity."
"Maggie has the incredible ability to naturally make space for others at the table, making sure their voice is heard and opinions and viewpoints considered."
— Timoney’s nominator
WOMAN OF THE YEAR:
Mette Uglebjerg
Senior Vice President, Global Food & Marketing Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K
TWO YEARS AGO, Alimentation CoucheTard Inc. (ACT) advanced its journey by launching a five-year strategic plan focused on strengthening its customer experience and winning the offer — two key areas of focus that continue to guide the company’s growth today. Mette Uglebjerg has played a critical role in bringing that vision to life.
As senior vice president of global food and marketing, she has more than 200 team members globally under her guidance. Uglebjerg oversees foodservice strategy and marketing execution across ACT’s global organization. Her role bridges operations, product development and brand positioning to fuel growth, deepen customer engagement and enhance profitability on a global scale.
For more than 30 years, Uglebjerg has been redefining what convenience retail means — one meal, one customer and one innovative idea at a time. From back offices to boardrooms, she has seen the industry evolve and has been at the forefront of shaping it.
Her passion for winning the customer
isn't just a strategy, it's a way of thinking that has transformed food, marketing and operations into a seamless experience that keeps the retailer’s customers coming back, according to her nominator.
"We are in a situation now where we want to become much more customer-centric and we have a golden opportunity to embed customer insights even more in our decision-making," Uglebjerg said. "This approach has driven initiatives such as meal deals, addressing customers' increasing focus on value and the 'Talk2Us' platform, allowing us to listen directly to our customers."
Uglebjerg brings deep operational experience to her leadership. Before her current role, she was senior vice president of European Operations, overseeing ACT’s multiple business units and growing the company's footprint, including the acquisition of TotalEnergies in early 2024. Before that, as vice president of Denmark, she oversaw all operations execution.
Beyond business results, she is committed to leadership development, mentorship and best-practice sharing. She is an executive sponsor of the company's diversity and inclusion initiatives and actively mentors individuals across the organization. Uglebjerg also plays a key role in integrating new markets, ensuring that new team members embrace the global retailer's award-winning culture and customer-centric approach.
"Mette brings a rare blend of humbleness, passion and strategic vision to her work. Not only is she a leading contributor to our success, but she also embodies our One Team spirit, always doing the right thing for our team members," ACT President and CEO Alex Miller said.
"Mette brings a rare blend of humbleness, passion and strategic vision to her work."
— Alex Miller, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Co r t l tio to
o i rs!
Each of our winners exemplifies passion, creativity, and talent—and they truly embody what it means to Play to Win. We’re proud to see them honored among the Top Women in Convenience 2025. Congratulations to them and to all the outstanding recipients of this well-deserved recognition!
SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS
Terri
Albright Director of Compliance & Logistics
Premier
Manufacturing Inc.
• Albright is instrumental in ensuring Premier Manufacturing operates smoothly within the highly regulated tobacco industry. Responsible for overseeing all regulatory filings at both the state and federal levels, she facilitates compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state attorneys general and numerous other regulatory agencies.
• Beyond compliance, Albright is lauded for her ability to drive operational efficiency. Her leadership in inventory management, warehousing and logistics helps optimize the supply chain, reduce costs and improve cashflow, according to her nominator.
• Albright is known as a mentor and role model within the company. She often attends webinars and workshops to stay well informed, and participates in the National Association of Attorneys General, many State Fire Marshals associations, the Convenience Distribution Association, NACS and other industry organizations.
Hebe Alexander
Director of Lean Six Sigma McLane Co. Inc.
• Alexander joined McLane to create a business process team of Six Sigma Black Belts. The program enhances efficiency, reduces waste and streamlines workflows to maintain the highest levels of service for customers. Within a year, she led her team to complete 60-plus projects with a value capture exceeding $55 million.
• Over the past year, she has completed multiple projects with direct customer impact. Key among them is increasing delivery accuracy from 99.02% to exceed the required 99.85% to meet contract compliance for a priority customer, and lowering delivery refusals by 50% for one chain to reduce labor and inventory loss.
• Alexander is chair of the newly established McLane women’s-focused employee resource group, Ignite Her. She has also been invited to be a key speaker at the MoreSteam Best Practices for Operational Excellence Conference.
Heather
Allan Senior Director, HR Region Operations
Core-Mark International
• Allan leads Core-Mark’s HR Region Operations with responsibility for compliance, analytics, talent management, learning and development, compensation, special projects and people operations. She supports more than 12,000 associates across North America, with direct leadership of a core team of three and extended oversight of more than 70 HR professionals.
• A Certified Change Management Professional, Allan in 2024 spearheaded the successful transition of the company’s 300-plus field sales associates from a hybrid compensation model to a fully commissioned structure. She not only co-designed the new model, but also led change management efforts that elevated the customer experience for the retailers Core-Mark serves, her nominator said.
• She is a graduate of Core-Mark’s Experienced Leader Program with Richmond University, and represented the company at the 2025 Women’s Foodservice Forum.
Joannie Almjeld
Vice President, Northern Tier Business Unit Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K
• Almjeld’s promotion to her current role marks a significant milestone in her decade-long career with ACT, according to her nominator. She now manages a staff of 6,000 team members that oversee store operations, merchandising, fuel, facilities, finance and HR across 10 states.
• In her previous role as senior regional director of operations, Almjeld delivered outstanding results — merchandise sales grew by 7.9%, fuel sales increased by 19.6% and net profit rose by 21% year over year. In addition to her operational leadership, she chaired the business unit’s Women’s Council and remains actively engaged in culture and community initiatives at the company.
• Almjeld was selected as one of only 25 participants for ACT’s prestigious Global Leadership Forum, an 18-month program focused on developing future executives through advanced leadership training and global business strategy insights.
CONGRATULATIONS TeRRI
ON BEING NAMED ONE OF THE
Top Women in Convenience!
Congratulations to Terri Albright on being named one of the 2025 Top Women in Convenience! Her leadership in compliance, logistics, and operations at Premier Manufacturing has been instrumental to the company’s growth.
Terri’s dedication, precision, and mentorship make her a true standout in the industry. We’re proud to celebrate her success!
TeRRI ALbRIGhT Director of Regulatory & Compliance
Manufacturing Inc.
Premier
SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS:
Heather Andersen President Andersen’s Crazy Candy
• Andersen is the driving force behind Andersen’s Crazy Candy, one of the fastest-growing brands in the snack aisle. As president and founder, she blends entrepreneurial vision with deep retail expertise, using her family’s Sinclair stations as real-world R&D sites.
• In 2024, she grew the company’s retail presence from 5,000 locations to more than 25,000, and recently introduced breakthrough freeze-dried versions of fan favorites such as Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids, now stocked in major national chains.
• Andersen leads with boldness, creativity and results, according to her nominator. Her efforts resulted in a 2025 Insurgent Brand honor from Bain & Co., which recognizes the fastest-growing consumer brands redefining the food industry, and three innovation awards at the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo for product excellence.
Halle Barish
Director of Category Leadership, On The Go Mars Wrigley
• A 15-year veteran of Mars Wrigley, Barish oversees the entire Mars Wrigley On The Go Team, which focus on the convenience, unattended retail and specialty channels. The team, which consists of 24 category associates, yields sales in excess of $2 billion.
• In 2024, Barish led the team in activating new shopper-based merchandising research, which was proven to drive 4% to 6% growth for retailers. The convenience category team also won four Category Excellence Awards from CSNews in the categories of planogram excellence, overall partnership excellence (two awards) and new product launch excellence.
• Barish recently earned a Role Model Leadership Sales Excellence Award. She is the leadership sponsor of the Shalom Mars associate resource group and a member of the DiversAbility group. She’s also a member of multiple Mars Wrigley committees.
Melissa Berkenpas
Director, Supply Chain Center of Excellence
Casey’s General Stores Inc.
• Berkenpas is a dynamic leader at Casey’s, where she sponsors and oversees key enterprise initiatives including FSMA 204 compliance and supplier onboarding. Her visionary leadership and commitment to innovation drive operational excellence and strategic transformation across the organization, her nominator noted.
• This year, she led the strategic integration of 200 newly acquired locations, pioneering a new business model by incorporating third-party distributors to support growth beyond Casey’s self-distribution network.
• A champion of continuous development, Berkenpas is a graduate of Casey’s Leadership Excellence Development Program and holds executive leadership certifications from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, NACS Women in Leadership Executive Education and UC Berkeley Executive Education.
Molly Beronio
Senior Division Chain Manager
The Boston Beer Co.
• Beronio manages the National Account Team for the West. She is responsible for the strategy, growth and implementation of creative programming, as well as distribution that drives retailers’ bottom-line and profit goals. She has spent 14 of the last 16 years at Boston Beer working with convenience retailers.
• In 2024, Beronio earned a company Innovation Award as Small Format Division Chain Manager of the Year. She also was a nominee for the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s Alliance for Women in Beer recognition.
• According to her nominator, one of Beronio’s greatest strengths is her ability to think outside the box and create solutions that drive significant growth. Through tailored, unique programming, she has contributed sustainable growth, increased profitability and stronger retailer partnerships for Boston Beer.
SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS:
Kelly Bowling
Director of Human Resources Weigel’s Inc.
• Bowling manages Weigel’s HR strategy and operations, from talent acquisition and onboarding to employee development and retention. She collaborates with leadership to identify staffing needs and implement effective recruitment processes to attract and retain top talent across Weigel’s 85-store network. In addition, she manages the design and administration of compensation and benefits programs.
• In 2024, she introduced an array of recognition and celebration initiatives aimed at strengthening community, increasing morale and highlighting individual achievements, These include monthly lunches at the support center and in-store “culture club” events that unite support teams and store-level employees. Bowling also spearheaded the implementation of an enhanced vacation program, reflecting her commitment to work-life balance.
• She received Weigel’s Humanitarian Award in 2024, recognizing her compassion, empathy and resourcefulness in fostering a supportive environment.
Sarah Brandtner
Director of Talent Experience Kwik Trip Inc.
• Brandtner leads a team of more than 45 coworkers who carry out strategy, initiatives and programs centered on the coworker experience, including engagement, retention, development, inclusion, onboarding, accommodations and more for 39,000 coworkers. Under her leadership, coworker turnover has declined to 35.1%, an industryleading number, according to her nominator.
• She is lauded for leading the team that created a leadership development series for new leaders on campus, enhanced and built the prestige of the company’s Coworker of the Year program, and rolled out a check-in program for campus coworkers intended to build relationships and allow for continuous feedback rather than a typical performance review process.
• A 23-year veteran of Kwik Trip, Brandtner is a highly regarded leader and known for bringing candor and humor to work daily. She is a state and national member of the Society for Human Resource Management.
Jodi Buckner
Chief Financial Officer
Lyons Specialty Co. LLC
• Sitting over accounting, HR and IT, Buckner drives financial stability, ensuring the distribution company not only thrives but remains competitive. She was instrumental in moving the company to run an Entrepreneurial Operating System, translating the company’s vision into actionable plans, aligning different departments and ensuring everyone is working toward the same goals.
• This past year, Buckner implemented a cost optimization plan to reduce operational expenses without sacrificing efficiency or quality. Additionally, on Jan. 1, 2025, the company entered a Captive Insurance program, a transition that Buckner played a key role in implementing. Her leadership and execution of this initiative resulted in approximately 30% savings in the company’s insurance costs.
• Buckner is serving as the 2025 chair of the Convenience Distribution Association.
Christy Canary-Garner
Senior Vice President of Consumer Marketing, Combustibles
Reynolds American Inc.
• Canary-Garner leads a team of 35 FMC marketers and directs Reynolds’ 70-member
Consumer Experience Team, spearheading a major step change in the company’s capability roadmap and cultural transformation. She currently oversees 20 cigarette brands, including five iconic brands with longstanding equity and more than 30 million adult smokers (Newport, Camel, Natural American Spirit, Pall Mall and Lucky Strike).
• In 2024, she successfully drove commercial delivery above plan and diversified the company’s product portfolio to drive long-term sustainable value. She also deployed new capabilities to drive foot traffic, boost market basket size and deliver added value to both customers and consumers.
• Canary-Garner received British American Tobacco’s A Better Tomorrow Award, the highest annual honor the company bestows. She serves as the senior leadership champion for three employee resource groups: B.E.Y.O.U (Black Employees Yielding Outreach & Unity), B United (LGBTQ+) and LINK (Lean Into Networking).
SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS:
Todd Compton Director of Finance, Consumer Products
Premier Manufacturing Inc.
• Compton oversees all financial responsibilities for U.S. Tobacco Cooperative, including its three cigarette companies — Premier Manufacturing, King Maker Marketing and WMLR LLC — as well as its distribution businesses: Big South Distribution, Franchise Wholesale and VP Distributors. Compton leverages her knowledge as a Certified Public Accountant to develop process improvements and financial strategies.
• One of her most significant leadership contributions has been her role in transitioning the company to offshore production. Compton has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of overseas compliance, taxation and financial reporting, ensuring that the company meets all necessary legal and regulatory requirements.
• She is actively involved in key industry organizations, including the Convenience Distribution Association, Total Products Expo and NACS.
Danielle Endter
National Account Manager II, 7-Eleven
Constellation
Brands Inc.
• Endter is a 25-year beer industry veteran, with nearly 10 years at Constellation Brands’ beer division, including six years dedicated to 7-Eleven. She leads collaboration and executional alignment for the beer strategy in 7-Eleven’s largest-volume region, partnering with the 7-Eleven West category manager to influence franchisees, distributors and operations partners.
• In 2024, she drove growth of 3.4% in dollar sales and 6.5% in unit sales. Endter executed a storefront pointof-purchase program on short notice, activating her network for timely implementation. She also developed tools and resources to educate store leaders and franchisees, providing data-driven insights.
• Endter was instrumental in Constellation Brands being named 7-Eleven’s Alcohol Supplier of the Year at the 2024 7-Eleven Experience conference.
• Gebrekiristos was elevated to her current role in February 2024, giving her leadership of a new organizational structure, Market Insights & Forecasting. With this promotion, she became part of the Insights & Intelligence Leadership Team, driving business planning and decision-making for the company.
• She developed the details behind all product launch initiatives for ITG Brands in the 2025 business planning cycle, including cigarettes, cigars, vapor and modern oral nicotine. She also led a complete revamp of ITG’s demand forecasting function, modernizing and improving processes.
• Gebrekiristos was one of the company’s U.S. participants in Accelerating Women in Leadership, a selective, global and cross-functional development program led by Imperial Brands, ITG Brands’ parent company. Additionally, she is a member of ITG Brands’ Women’s and Ethnicity business employee resource groups.
Amy Glover
Director of Payment Strategy Implementation Murphy USA Inc./QuickChek
• Glover, a 32-year veteran at MUSA, develops the business requirements and implementation for payments and financial products for the company.
She leads the team that develops customer-facing partnerships and affiliate programs, which has aided in lowering the cost of payments while enabling the enterprise with new data insights.
• In 2024, Glover led a total rebuild of MUSA’s payments infrastructure to modernize how the company routes transactions. In addition to her role, she formally mentors two senior managers and three specialists who are early in their careers.
• Glover was celebrated in 2024 as MUSA’s inaugural Alexis Alexander Heart of Service Award winner for her work with Magdelene House, where she serves as treasurer and board member. She also serves on the board of FDDOC (Fully Devoted Developer of Children), a nonprofit organization.
SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS:
Ashley Gockstetter Vice President of Customer Experience Love’s
Travel
Stops & Country Stores
• Gockstetter leads strategic customer experience initiatives at Love’s, which encompasses loyalty programs, customer listening programs, its mobile app and competitive analysis. She also leads the data science, analytics and space planning teams to ensure Love’s is focusing on the right customers, solving the right problems and laying out the stores to ensure an optimal customer experience.
• In 2024, she spearheaded the rollout of the company’s first-ever comprehensive customer listening program, which allows stakeholders from store managers to executives to get real-time insight into the customer experience through KPIs, complaints and compliments. In addition, Gockstetter developed differentiated loyalty benefits for professional and casual drivers, which delivered repeat visits and growing profit.
• She serves as executive sponsor of the Women’s Employee Resource Group at Love’s and is chair of The Conference Board’s Customer Experience Council.
Shelby Harrison Regional
Manager
Parker’s Kitchen
• In just over a year’s time since joining Parker’s Kitchen, Harrison has made an indelible impact by driving growth, promoting efficiency and ensuring exceptional customer service at all her stores, according to Executive Chairman Greg Parker.
• She currently oversees the daily store operations for Region 1’s 54 retail locations throughout Georgia. Harrison has been lauded for her region exceeding its 2024 sales goals in the areas of fuel, inside sales, kitchen, grab-and-go breakfast, pizza and roller grill.
• The previous CSNews Future Leaders in Convenience honoree has been integral to the company’s ambitious expansion into new markets as well. She helped open the largest-ever Parker’s Kitchen store in Kingsland, Ga., in October 2024, followed by the chain’s third store in Richmond Hill, Ga., this past February.
Steph Hoppe
Vice President, Omnichannel Marketing Casey’s General Stores Inc.
• Hoppe leads Casey’s Omnichannel Marketing organization, which is comprised of 40 people and responsible for $27 million in total advertising spend. She drives brand growth and competitive positioning through compelling and creative brand marketing, storytelling, guest insights and analytics, and guest journey mapping. Hoppe also leads the company’s Inner Agency Team, which includes five external partners.
• In 2024, she shepherded the launch of Casey’s new brand positioning, “It’s Not Crazy, It’s Casey’s,” which served to accelerate same-store sales and traffic growth. Another contribution was the accelerated growth of Casey’s Access, the retailer’s proprietary retail media network, with net investment in the program growing by 300% last year.
• Hoppe serves on the NACS Foundation's board of advisors.
Aleksandra (Ola) Kozielska
Director, Global Brand Marketing Juul Labs
• Kozielska's strategic leadership in U.S. marketing for the JUUL brand is meticulously aligned with the company's mission: transitioning adult smokers from combustible cigarettes. By leveraging extensive research, she identifies key adult smoker trends to craft highly targeted and effective campaigns, ensuring all marketing activities are directed at adult smokers.
• Her efforts stabilized the U.S. market. She innovated new media integration (e.g., GSTV, retailers’ in-store media channels) and developed impactful marketing assets, boosting brand visibility and affinity. Her datadriven, cross-functional leadership is instrumental in propelling JUUL to a category-leading position and significantly driving c-store sales.
• Beyond her professional achievements, Kozielska’s compassion extends globally as she dedicates time to supporting an orphanage in Poland, raising donations for children impacted by the Ukraine War. She is also committed to community, participating in the Women at JUUL resource group.
SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS:
Brielle Lawson
Director, People & Culture Business Partner ITG Brands
• Lawson drives the strategic people agenda and supports ITG Brands’ future through workforce planning, talent needs, coaching and culture changes. Her influence extends across the company’s commercial functions on a global and U.S. regional level, as she’s spearheaded initiatives that boosted engagement by 22 points and elevated cross-functional collaboration by 33 points.
• When ITG Brands acquired a new category in 2023, Lawson created a Next-Generation Products Team with new capabilities, including data analytics, brand-building expertise and consumer insights. The new team generated 3% market share within 10 months of launch.
• A culture champion, Lawson mentors junior talent in Greensboro, N.C., and participates in employee resource groups. She recently earned an MBA from Wake Forest University, became a Prosci Change Practitioner, and was selected for an exclusive global Women in Leadership program.
Stacy Dickson-McNutt
Director, Category Management PepsiCo Inc.
• Dickson-McNutt leads a category leadership team that supports the beverage insights and space agenda designed to deliver shopper resonance and marketplace growth for both Circle K and PepsiCo. She is also charged with leading the category advisorship for 10 of the 14 Circle K business units.
• Through her efforts, PepsiCo expanded category captaincies at the Circle K business unit level and became the lead across the retailer’s national business. Circle K leveraged Dickson-McNutt’s expertise to develop a comprehensive cold vault strategy, resulting in mutual growth and share gains for both companies.
• Dickson-McNutt is a two-time winner of the PepsiCo Chairman’s Ring of Honor and has attended two PepsiCo leadership programs: Pinnacle, a professional development program encouraging empowerment and leadership for women in sales, and Next Up, a forum focused on advancing women and promoting diversity within the company.
Carrie Miller
Vice President of Operations High’s of Baltimore LLC
• A 20-year convenience store industry veteran, Miller celebrated her 10-year anniversary with High’s in July. She oversees all five of High’s district managers and the operations of 52 locations. She also leads a training session for new managers, focusing on the critical skill of understanding operations statements, helping to empower the leadership team with essential financial knowledge.
• “Carrie continually goes above and beyond in her role, inspiring her team through her determination, creativity and passion for excellence. Her transformative impact on the company makes her an incredibly deserving candidate for this recognition,” her nominator said.
• As an advocate for a positive and safe work environment, Miller is a member of High’s Charitable Giving and Safe Work Environment Committees.
Amber Millwood
Field Training Manager
The Spinx Co.
• Millwood revitalized and revolutionized Spinx’s training program by instituting major reconstruction of current content. New training tactics include new hire orientation and continued training across multiple departments, catering to multiple lines of business. She spoke at the NACS Show about her ambition to revolutionize c-store onboarding and training.
• She received The Spinx Co.’s highest honor, the Spinx MVP Award, for her impact across all departments and field leadership. She is also a recipient of the HR Core Value Award for her outstanding commitment to the company's core values and policies.
• Millwood is co-chair of Spinx’s Women in Leadership business resource group. She is also part of the Society for Human Resource Management and an Association for Talent Development professional.
TODD COmpTON Director of Finance, Consumer Products U.S. Tobacco Cooperative
CONGRATULATIONS TODD ON BEING NAMED ONE OF THE
Top Women in Convenience!
Congratulations to Todd Compton on being named one of the Top Women in Convenience! Todd’s strategic leadership, financial expertise, and commitment to innovation have made a lasting impact on the industry.
Her dedication to excellence and team development at USTC continues to drive success. We’re proud to celebrate her achievements!
SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS:
Courtney Murphy Director, Experiential
& At Shelf Marketing
Glanbia Performance Nutrition
• Known for her deep shopper experience and innovative approach to marketing, Murphy has repositioned Glanbia in the convenience store sector, enhancing the visibility and accessibility of Glanbia’s brands, such as Optimum Nutrition and think!.
• Murphy, who has 30 years of experience in the convenience channel, has driven successful initiatives that add value by giving consumers an incentive to try Glanbia’s brands, in turn increasing retailer revenue. Her efforts have not only increased product placement, but also improved customer engagement and sales performance.
• She holds a leadership role in Glanbia’s Women’s Employee Resource Group; is board vice president of the Danny Did Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing deaths caused by seizures; and is a prolific volunteer for various charities and causes.
Kelli Patterson
Senior Director, Retail –Convenience Mars Wrigley
• Patterson, who has worked at Mars Wrigley for 21 years, assumed her current role in 2017. Her team consists of 85 direct Mars Wrigley associates and 155 associates from Advantage Sales & Marketing. Cumulatively, they are focused on maximizing category sales in more than 55,000 convenience stores nationwide with revenue exceeding more than $1.5 billion.
• Among her accomplishments, Patterson launched groundbreaking mobile technology that enables in-store printing of distributor tags. This innovation saved Mars Wrigley more than $520,000 by streamlining operations, reducing rework and eliminating delays. She also co-developed a new route to the market, combining mapping technology to reduce drive time and maximize the time her team sells in-store, ultimately driving ROI.
• Patterson is a sponsored member of Mars Women in Global Sales Leadership and was a regional finalist for Mars Wrigley Make a Difference, a global recognition.
Katie Petru
Director, PR, Communications & Community
Casey's General Stores Inc.
• Petru’s team owns Casey’s narrative with key stakeholders, from guests to team members to communities. She partners with the executive leadership and senior leadership teams to determine and bring to life the company’s purpose, values and narrative. Her team also manages an ongoing ecosystem of internal and external “always on” communication to ensure Casey’s 47,000-plus associates are informed, aligned and inspired.
• Last year, Petru achieved her aggressive goal to increase Casey’s public relations results by 75% year over year to drive awareness and credibility of the chain’s food business, with 1,300 total placements and 26 billion impressions for the year.
• Petru was instrumental in finalizing Casey’s first-ever venue naming rights deal. The Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, became the Casey’s Center in July 2025. The 17,000-seat arena hosts 175-plus events annually, delivering unmatched brand exposure.
Jessica Pfeifer Director, Environmental Operations EG America
• Pfeifer ensures the environmental integrity and regulatory compliance of EG America’s fuel operations. Her sphere of influence extends across more than 1,500 stores, where she oversees underground storage tank compliance and proactively enhances training programs as part of the compliance management team.
• She is lauded for successfully managing a multimillion-dollar capital budget in 2024, ensuring it remained within 1% of plan. To improve capital planning accuracy, she developed an innovative forecast model for fueling facility upgrades, providing the organization with a real-time, data-driven tool for monthly progress reporting.
• Pfeifer received the President’s Club Store Support Center Team Member of the Year Award for 2024. She is a member of the leadership team for the Women @ EG employee resource group and the retailer’s Engagement and Values Council.
SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS:
Leah
Schultz
Director of Brand Marketing
Krispy Krunchy Foods LLC
• Schultz is a mastermind in supporting Krispy Krunchy Chicken’s voice, vision and everything that makes it pop for both consumers and operators. She creates and executes long-term marketing plans that define the brand and boost its growth through creative campaigns, media strategies, brand ambassadors and partnerships.
• One of her standout achievements was leading the launch of both the Cajun Chicken Sandwich and Chicken Nuggets, shifting the marketing strategy from traditional in-store promotions to a more dynamic, consumer-driven approach. Schultz is also lauded for developing an all-new e-commerce portal, Krunch Shop Portal, creating a full-service, one-stop shop for brand operators to streamline ordering and access essential resources.
• Schultz received the company’s Together We Win Award in 2024 and is a member of Krispy Krunchy Chicken’s Marketing Leadership Team.
Diane Shieh
Retail Technologies Product Director, COCO
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
• Shieh’s deeper involvement with the convenience channel started in 2019 when she joined Chevron's company-owned company-operated (COCO) division in her current role. In this capacity, she oversees support, infrastructure and innovation for more than 300 Chevron stations while spearheading technology solutions that enhance operational efficiency, customer experience and competitive positioning.
• She architected a comprehensive Digital Transformation Strategy that aligns business outcomes with digital ambitions — modernizing platforms, enhancing in-store customer experiences and fostering a culture of innovation. She’s led teams in deploying a new HRIS system with single sign-on capabilities, upgrading store networking for improved reliability, launching a salesforce based case management system for operations, integrating and automating fuel pricing across multiple systems, and streamlining operational processes with support from technology.
• In recognition of her accomplishments, Shieh has received Chevron’s prestigious Human Energy Award and the Everyday Excellence Award.
Amber Smith
Director of Creative Services
Krispy Krunchy Foods LLC
• With a decade-long dedication to championing the Krispy Krunchy Chicken brand's look and feel, Smith collaborates with the culinary and marketing teams, leading the design of digital menuboards, packaging and promotional materials that enhance the customer experience and drive sales. Her role extends to external agencies and vendors to produce high-quality marketing materials cost-effectively.
• A standout achievement in 2024 was Smith’s leadership in developing an operator-focused LSM and printon-demand solution. This includes the brand’s first integrated e-commerce store, providing operators and team members with a user-friendly platform to access and customize essential materials and resources.
• Smith, a member of Krispy Krunchy Chicken’s Marketing Leadership Team, was one of the first to receive the company’s Be All In Award in 2023 and was then recognized as a CSNews Future Leader in Convenience in 2024.
Beth Strickland
Chief Human Resources Officer PDI Technologies
• Strickland brings decades of expertise in workforce transformation to help shape PDI’s culture and operational success. She has been instrumental in advancing the company’s people strategy over the past year, significantly reducing turnover and reinforcing PDI’s standing as an employer of choice.
• She championed investments in succession planning, employee learning and leadership development. Strickland worked cross-functionally to combine multiple learning platforms into a consolidated professional development tool and oversaw the creation of manager training and leadership development curriculum, aligning learning pathways with business goals and leadership competencies for internal stakeholders. Under her leadership, there’s been a 250% increase in employee e-learning.
• She took the stage at the first-ever Women in Convenience panel during the annual PDI Connections Live event, sharing insights on leadership, innovation and the importance of fostering diversity in the convenience industry.
SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS:
Linda Sutton Director of Recruitment RaceTrac Inc.
• Over the past year, Sutton’s leadership transformed RaceTrac's talent acquisition (TA) function. She spearheaded a flow-to-work model and established standardized recruiting KPIs, leading to a 25% reduction in monthly hiring needs, a 5% increase in 30-day retention and a 24% decrease in overall turnover.
• She significantly modernized talent acquisition by implementing CRM tools and standardizing processes across all regions. Her adoption of automated scheduling saved 988 hours of recruiter productivity and reduced recruiter travel by an impressive 14,560 hours.
• Sutton is a recognized HR expert in retail, as evidenced by her repeat invitations to speak on talent strategies at the LEAP TA Retail HR Conference and her role as a panelist in RaceTrac’s New Leader Development Training, where she shared insights on developing direct reports and strategic planning.
Judy
Truchan Director of Procurement Team Sledd
• Truchan uses strong negotiation and leadership skills to optimize the supply chain, while implementing procurement technologies and ensuring ethical sourcing under regulatory guidelines. Overseeing a sta of five employees, she manages all supplier relationships, driving cost savings and ensuring compliance with supplier programs and regimens.
• Over the past year, Truchan refined an internal allocation management process to more e ectively ensure all customers receive fair amounts of constrained inventory products while recognizing historical usage by individual customers. She also completed an initiative with three internal category managers to enhance inventory management, reducing carrying costs while maintaining fill rates standards.
• Truchan serves on Team Sledd’s Health Resource Committee, which manages health care insurance and wellness initiatives for 275 employees. She also serves on the Culture Committee and was president of Team Sledd’s Organizational Senior Leadership Team.
Christine
Turner Director, Commerce Marketing PepsiCo Inc.
• Turner leads the omnichannel marketing agenda across PepsiCo’s snacks and beverages categories at 7-Eleven. Turner and her team drive business at the convenience retailer through robust 360 activations, which have included groundbreaking retail programming for Mountain Dew gaming and the successful launch of two exclusive products featuring PepsiCo’s largest beverage brands, Mountain Dew and Gatorade.
• Additionally, the team was a critical partner in the growth of 7-Eleven’s new GULP Media Network, which has proven to generate promising results. According to her nominator, Turner’s leadership contributed to PepsiCo being awarded the 2024 Digital Supplier of the Year Award by 7-Eleven's leadership team.
• Turner is active in PepsiCo recruiting at her alma mater, the University of Michigan, helping the company secure the best and brightest talent for the coming years.
Heather Webb Director of Operations Patron Points Inc.
• Webb leads the account management and marketing/ graphic digital teams at Patron Points. One example of her leadership is the companywide implementation of a new CRM, project management and communication platform that streamlines tasks for internal employees and external partners.
• She also oversaw the successful development and launch of a new product, formi, and spearheaded the e orts in drafting and submitting for review a patent on the technology and method. To support the new product launch, she implemented a social media strategy that drove a 35% increase in followers, a 90% increase in impressions and a three-times greater engagement rate on LinkedIn.
• Webb is a resource for the Patron Points Cares Team and is the bridge between the marketing department and Blue Sparq Marketing, the company’s external professional group that co-leads Patron Points’ corporate marketing strategy.
SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS:
Amy Werth
Senior Director of Sales
The Coca-Cola Co.
• Werth leads strategy and execution for Coca-Cola’s $1 billion annual partnership with 7-Eleven. Her efforts have led to substantial growth, her nominator stated. She was key in last year’s collaboration between Coca-Cola, 7-Eleven and Mondelēz International to introduce an exclusive Coca-Cola OREO Slurpee drink.
• This first-ever frozen Coca-Cola Creations beverage was the result of an extensive, multifaceted marketing strategy that incorporated social retailing, experiential merchandising, influencer activations and digital promotions to drive product awareness, customer engagement and in-store traffic.
• Within Coca-Cola, Werth is a member of This-Ability Network, an organization dedicated to promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and Coca-Cola NextUp, a group focused on advancing women into leadership positions and ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented in key decision-making processes.
Kristin Willis
Division President Core-Mark International
• As division president, Willis is responsible for the full scope of operations — driving the vision, strategy and execution across sales, supply chain, logistics and safety. Her leadership extends beyond her team of 150-plus associates as she fosters a culture of integrity and transparency, setting the tone for her team and ensuring the company operates efficiently while staying ahead of market trends, her nominator said.
• Under her leadership, the Cleveland OpCo achieved $384 million in sales in fiscal year 2024, surpassing targets at 104% of plan. At the time of her nomination, Willis was outpacing her business plan for 2025 by 150%.
• Regarded as a high-potential leader at Core-Mark, Willis is a previous Salesperson of the Year and spoke on a key panel discussion at U.S. Foods’ annual summit.
Amy Wood
Director of Enterprise IT Friendly Express Inc.
• While her primary responsibility is to manage and lead all technology-related aspects of Friendly Express, Wood also contributes significantly to other areas of the business. She has a direct influence on the operational activities of the company from vendor relations to the design and implementation of sites and programs. Her influence also touches marketing and branding innovation, social media and promotional marketing initiatives.
• She is lauded for the implementation of food production software that is driving greater efficiency and guidance for offers, serving times and reducing food waste. She also spearheaded the rollout of mobile ordering, combined with Vroom delivery; implemented self-checkout; and led the team in a coffee and cold dispensed beverage rebrand.
• Wood serves as a representative on the PDI Retail Customer User Group Committee. She is also a member of the NACS Planning Committee, Conexxus and the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores.
RISING STARS
Josie Barger
Customer Relationship Management Manager Cheyenne International LLC
• Barger is in charge of Cheyenne’s customer relationship management (CRM) system, but her sphere of influence extends beyond that. While her role is inherently more behind the scenes, she has essentially built a bridge between the sales, marketing, financing, customer service, manufacturing and quality teams, allowing them to collaborate and improve efficiencies.
• She’s been lauded for developing and executing a promotional payment process that gave Cheyenne better visibility, empowered the sales team to promote more effectively, and helped retail partners get paid more quickly. Another giant step forward, thanks to Barger, was integrating third-party data into the company’s CRM system.
• Barger is a past winner of Cheyenne’s The Bill Award, an internal accolade for which winners are nominated by their peers.
CHEERS TO
AMY WERTH
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SALES, THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, NORTH AMERICA OPERATING UNIT
2025 TOP WOMEN IN CONVENIENCE AWARD WINNER
SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS
Congratulations on your outstanding achievements and dedication to advancing the future of convenience retail. We’re proud to have you on our team and to celebrate this well-deserved honor together.
RISING STARS:
Lauren Barnette
Marketing Specialist PDI Technologies
• Barnette was nominated for her accomplishments as loyalty program coordinator at Quality Oil Co. She recently left that position and joined PDI Technologies as a marketing specialist. While at Quality Oil, Barnette was a driving force behind the retailer’s approach to customer engagement, loyalty and retail marketing.
• One of Barnette’s biggest achievements at Quality Oil was fixing the company’s broken signage system by implementing a new structured system that ensures signage is properly distributed, installed and aligned with digital marketing efforts. This has improved brand consistency across the company’s 138 stores while freeing store managers to focus on operations rather than marketing logistics.
• She also transformed Quality Oil’s outdated loyalty program. Previously limited to tobacco discounts, she expanded the program into a true customer engagement tool, working with integrated partners such as Rovertown and Paytronix to improve functionality and personalization.
Caris Bing Senior
Account Manager
Altria Group Distribution Co.
• Bing leads sales strategy, execution and trade alignment for all Altria operating companies, as well as a top c-store partner. Since taking on this role in October 2024, she has successfully negotiated improved merchandising positioning for key brands, influenced more competitive pricing through marketplace and ROI analysis, and increased value to consumers through alignment on digital marketing strategies.
• In her previous role at Altria as manager of value and wholesale in the customer success department, Bing developed infrastructure to execute state-level initiatives for multiple brands by aligning on timing of price action, identifying external legislative obstacles and advocating for financial incentives to ensure trade capability and readiness.
• She is the membership lead for UNIFI, Altria’s African-American employee resource group. She coordinates efforts with individuals from different functions to create programming and content with connections to culture, education and a tie-in to the business.
Billi Breazeale
Principal Customer Success Manager PDI Technologies
• Breazeale was nominated for her accomplishments as product manager III – retail at PDI. In this capacity, she guided cross-functional teams through an entire product lifecycle, from ideation to launch. She recently accepted a new role as principal customer success manager.
• In her previous position, Breazeale was celebrated for her part in the creation and launch of PDI's foodservice offering, production management application and retail site management solution. She also built
“Billi’s Boot Camp,” an intensive, homegrown onboarding initiative that prepares new team members for success by equipping them with essential product management knowledge.
• Breazeale was awarded the Friends of Sales Award at the 2025 PDI Company Kickoff event. Her contributions have been acknowledged as well through her elevated prominence in PDI's Customer User Groups, particularly within the retail sector.
Veronica Briones
Director of Distribution Partnerships
GSTV
• Briones not only expands GSTV’s impact, but also shapes the future of media engagement in convenience retailing. She develops and manages strategic partnerships with fuel and c-store retailers to drive GSTV’s presence and adoption.
• In 2024, Briones led a pro-bono hurricane preparedness campaign in partnership with the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association, delivering critical safety messaging on GSTV screens statewide before, during and after storms. This initiative reached millions of drivers and reinforced the essential role of convenience stores in community resilience.
• Briones also was instrumental in developing and launching a full-service solution that enhances how GSTV enables retailers to engage customers through digital media at the pump — ultimately driving foot traffic and sales. She was named to the NACS Rising Leader and Ambassador Committees, reflecting her leadership, innovation and dedication to advancing the convenience industry.
TOP WOMEN IN CONVENIENCE CONGRATULATIONS
Taylor Bromley
Senior Manager
Third Party Implementation
Altria Group Distribution Co.
RISING STARS
Caris Bing
Senior Account Manager
Altria Group Distribution Co.
Dr. Phyllis Weatherly
Senior Manager of Programs and Equity
Altria Group Distribution Co.
Congratulations on being named a Rising Star in the annual Convenience Store
News Top Women in Convenience. Your innovative leadership, strategic success, mentorship, and charity drive positive change in the c-store industry.
• Bromley joined Altria Group Distribution Co. (AGDC) 15 years ago as a territory sales manager. Over the years, she’s held a variety of positions, including leading field teams, calling on top customers, managing account teams and channel strategy. Currently, she is in charge of Altria’s Third Party Implementation Team.
• In this role, she leads the relationships and strategic alignment of technology vendors to support retail enablement of Altria’s digital products and programs. She led selling and implementation of the AGDC Digital Trade Program, pricing and loyalty APIs and Personalization Plus development for third-party service providers.
• Her and her team work to ensure widespread availability of digital capabilities for retailers. Bromley is an AGDC certified career coach and received Altria’s Advocacy in Action Award in 2024.
Colleen Camiller
Former Senior Account Executive, Convenience Procter & Gamble
• Camiller recently left Procter & Gamble (P&G) and joined Perdue Farms as regional sales manager. In her previous role, she oversaw relationship management and sales with key convenience retailers, achieving impressive growth rates of 23% with Sheetz, 15% with Kwik Trip and 9% with Casey’s General Stores.
• Even in the face of significant challenges within the nonedible grocery and health and beauty care categories, Camiller demonstrated exceptional leadership by driving a 6% growth in business at P&G, according to her nominator.
• Camiller created and developed a Convenience Playbook tool designed to guide and assist the Acosta broker team, leading to an 8% increase in sales. She was also lauded for enhancing P&G’s trade show program by developing a comprehensive trade show kit and strategic plans to boost sales, which has increased visibility and effectiveness at these events.
JJ Cui
Senior Manager, Pricing & Forecasting Juul Labs
• Cui manages the pricing and revenue components of the RGM function, and leads the forecasting and demand planning team. Her role is pivotal in determining the pricing structure of Juul’s portfolio, managing the price gaps to other nicotine products in the market, understanding the opportunities at the strategic chain level, and aligning the revenue goals of both Juul and the retail partner.
• Under her leadership, the Demand Planning function delivered a forecast accuracy of more than 90% on the full portfolio, including new product introductions, which is extremely commendable given the nicotine category had a turbulent 2024, her nominator said.
• Cui was also instrumental in developing the pricing architecture of Juul’s portfolio expansion to include sixand eight-pack products, filling a gap in the marketplace and providing value to adult nicotine consumers. She received a Platinum Award, the highest accolade in Juul’s U.S. Commercial Operations Department.
Connie DeCourcey Senior Manager of Compliance RaceTrac Inc.
• DeCourcey specializes in regulatory compliance and implementation, with more than 10 years of experience in the convenience store industry, both in-house at leading retailers and as a consultant. She leads a dynamic shared services team that is responsible for grant management, employee permits, compliance research and, most recently, business licensing.
• Among her accomplishments, she executed a grants management program, which entailed establishing clear policies and procedures for grant compliance, developing a training program, sourcing grant opportunities, coordinating cross-functionally to apply for strategic funding opportunities, and managing compliance obligations once awarded.
• DeCourcey graduated earlier this year from RaceTrac’s five-month New Leadership Development Training program and is currently a member of L.E.A.D., RaceTrac’s women-centric business resource group.
RISING STARS:
Tasha Echols
Customer Service Director
Core-Mark International
• Echols plays a vital role in shaping the Core-Mark customer experience, ensuring smooth operations, effective issue resolution and continuous improvement across customer service. Through strategic execution and team development, she drives measurable results, such as an 18% increase in promotional distribution compliance and a 34% improvement in response times.
• Her collaborative approach, working closely with cross-functional leaders, along with her focus on innovation and efficiency has significantly enhanced both customer satisfaction and internal processes. Echols introduced a new training process that not only enhanced the skills of existing associates, but also improved the onboarding process for new hires.
• Echols’ efforts have led to several team members advancing to other roles within the organization, contributing to stronger retention and growth within the department.
Elee Ecoffey
Regional Convenience Manager bp Products North America
• Since beginning her journey with Thorntons in January 2022 as a general manager, Ecoffey has quickly risen to become a high-performing, high-potential leader amongst her peers. Selected into Thorntons’ Leadership Development Readiness Program, her performance led to a promotion to region manager before graduating. She is a facilitator in this program today, supporting the development of future leaders.
• Ecoffey is the only female regional manager in Illinois and leads one of the largest and most complex regions in the Chicago area. She has excelled in her performance by achieving financial goals, resulting in two consecutive “Deliver the Budget” awards.
• Ecoffey also has received numerous Energize awards, which celebrate contributions and highlight behaviors vital to bp’s success. She is a member of the DEI Committee and spearheaded a connection with the Chicago PRIDE business resource group, leading to a second-annual collaboration.
Emily Ferguson
Category Merchant, Center Store GetGo Cafe + Market
• Elevated to her current role after just one year with GetGo, Ferguson oversees the candy and health and beauty care (HBC) categories, in addition to front-end services, which include lottery, ATM and bitcoin. She is the team lead for promotional planning and procurement, and has more recently assumed responsibility as lead trainer for new merchant support roles.
• Within the candy category, Ferguson brought about numerous unique opportunities, including the creation of GetGo-branded chocolate bars and pegged candy, which is now a top five candy brand within the chain. In HBC, she has been focused on growing “need now” occasions. The small-but-profitable category has experienced double-digit growth in units and sales dollars under her leadership.
• This past year, Ferguson leveraged available technologies to test and learn across value-based promotions, planogram strategies and marketing elements to drive growth within her business.
• Framiglio joined GetGo five years ago with a product development background. She works with vendor partners to ensure that the right product assortment, innovation, space for sales, and enticing and profitable promotions are available in her category. An example of this collaboration was creating a mix-and-match promotion to draw customers in from the pump, which resulted in double-digit unit increases over the previous year.
• Another accomplishment of Framiglio’s was optimizing the cold vault space for the 2025 reset. As a result, GetGo added almost 300 shelves of product, expanding top-moving brands and flavors across the company’s highest volume stores.
• “She is a positive force on our team and has immersed herself into the convenience business, making a positive impact with our store team members, vendor partners and everyone she encounters within our company,” Framiglio’s nominator stated.
We are proud to work with you and happy to celebrate both your incredible talent and well-deserved recognition.
Star Lori Framiglio Category Merchant, Packaged Beverage + Dairy
Rising Star Emily Ferguson Category Merchant, Candy + HBC
Rising
RISING STARS:
Kathleen (Kat) Gay
Talent Acquisition Specialist Road Ranger Inc.
• Gay spearheads full-cycle recruiting for all management positions across the company's 54 travel center locations that span seven states. She also heads corporate recruiting, sourcing talent to elevate the Store Support Center, and has a key role in assisting the head of recruiting with strategizing hourly team member recruitment across locations.
• According to her nominator, Gay achieved record-breaking recruitment numbers that directly contributed to the company's most successful staffing levels across all locations, reaching the highest and most efficient rates in its history. In the span of a year, she hired 619 employees, encompassing 483 team members, 103 managers and 33 corporate hires. Her direct impact enabled Road Ranger to successfully staff and open six new-builds.
• Gay was awarded the Top Recruiter of the Month title four times for leading the team with the most hires in a single month.
Devin Gonyer
Senior Manager, Category Management
The Hershey Co.
• Gonyer manages and develops a team dedicated to large chain retailers across the United States. She is also highly integrated in Hershey’s internal business planning, including forecasting, innovation and assortment strategy. Her past experience spans retail, sales, operations and category management.
• In 2024, her customers grew distribution points by 2.7% overall and outpaced national distribution levels by 17% on Hershey’s top 75 items, which account for more than 80% of sales volume. She also led a team executing innovation to exceed target across her responsibility. Additionally, Gonyer created new innovation tracking for the company to include benchmarking and better visibility to long-term sustainability.
• Partners on Gonyer’s team earned two 2025 Category Excellence Awards from CSNews, which recognize outstanding collaborations between a retailer category manager and their supplier or distributor partner.
Savannah Hall
Senior Account Manager Primo Brands
• Hall is tasked with growing volume, share and client relationships for Primo’s c-store national and regional customers throughout the Southeast, consistently driving results through strategic vision and exceptional team guidance. She was elevated to her current position in September 2024 from her prior role as senior manager, customer development – convenience under the BlueTriton brand.
• According to her nominator, Hall’s ability to build and maintain strong account relationships has been instrumental in fostering long-term client partnerships. Particularly, her relationships with Pilot Flying J and Sheetz have drove net sales growth of 6% and distribution growth.
• Hall is a mentor in the company’s Internship & Talent Development Program and a member of the Primo Brands Women’s Employee Resource Group.
Alexs Hermans
Senior Account Executive, Convenience
General Mills
• Hermans manages the General Mills WAM program, which primarily drives distribution at independent retailers and accounted for
$34 million in sales in 2024. She also oversees several other distributors and retailers within the Midwest, totaling more than $13 million in gross dollars annually.
• During a period of major transformation in the convenience segment, Hermans led the development of a program to drive distribution of the newly converted Chex Mix SKUs, helping ensure the continued success of the company’s warehouse salty snack business.
• Beyond operational excellence, Hermans actively fosters a positive team culture. She established an Awards Committee to recognize high-performing team members and enhance overall morale. She also created an annual volunteer event at Forgotten Harvest Farm for all Michigan-based employees as part of Global Volunteer Week.
RISING STARS:
Courtney Hessel
Senior Product Owner, Data & Analytics
Casey’s
General Stores Inc.
• Hessel is a standout leader in data and analytics at Casey’s, where she drives enterprise-wide transformation through innovative, data-driven solutions. She leads cross-functional teams that deliver measurable business value, such as a $500,000 annual cloud cost reduction and award-winning analytics tools deployed across 2,700 stores.
• She has been instrumental in store enablement projects, enabling the rollout of the Digital Production Planner to Casey’s stores with hourly product quantity recommendations, while also facilitating data integration for UKG, a new scheduling and timekeeping tool for the retailer’s store team members.
• Recognized with Casey’s Data Excellence Award and the Prometheus Award for Data Solution of the Year, Hessel was selected for advanced corporate leadership training. Her influence extends beyond the workplace through her leadership in women’s empowerment groups, university outreach and nonprofit data initiatives.
Lauren Hirsch
Director of Supply Network Design
Reynolds American Inc.
• Hirsch was nominated for her accomplishments as director of wholesale services at Reynolds, where she served as the primary liaison between the operations and trade marketing teams, leading 28 professionals and having responsibility for the order-to-cash process for $25 billion in annual sales. She recently accepted a new role as director of supply network design.
• While in her previous position, Hirsch played a key leadership role in delivering a logistics project on time and in full, resulting in $15 million of business efficiencies. She also was a key stakeholder in orchestrating the planning and launch strategy for Velo Plus, delivering $14.8 million in revenue.
• Hirsch received the Reynolds American Leadership Team Award and was nominated to participate in British American Tobacco’s Women in Leadership global program.
Laura Krawisz Vice President of Marketing Gas N Wash
• Krawisz drives both financial success and customer engagement for Gas N Wash’s rewards and car wash subscription programs. Her responsibilities extend across the Gas N Wash app, website, social media channels and in-store customer experience, as well as leading public relations and external communications.
• Among her achievements in the past year, Krawisz led the Gas N Wash app to the top of the Rovertownhosted app leaderboards; contributed to doubling the car wash membership count year over year; launched a new rewards platform via Paytronix migration; and achieved a significant increase in loyalty penetration.
• “Despite being a chain of just over 30 locations, the quality of marketing and customer engagement coming from Gas N Wash is at the level you’d expect from a large chain leveraging a massive team at an agency — which is a testament to Laura’s extraordinary drive and skillset,” her nominator said.
Agnila Naveen Kumar
Senior IT Engineer
Casey’s General Stores Inc.
• Naveen Kumar is an integral member of Casey’s Team Member Experience team, which develops and manages technology solutions that impact 45,000 field-level team members and enhance guest experiences. She contributed to the development of the Digital Production Planner, an innovative tool that tracks the production and waste of prepared foods, supporting Casey’s strategic objective of managing operational expenses.
• She was personally selected by Casey’s chief information officer to be profiled in the annual presentation to the board of directors, which highlights rising stars within the organization. She was one of five team members chosen out of more than 200 technology team members for her outstanding achievements and exemplifying Casey’s CARES values.
• Naveen Kumar has served as a mentor for interns over the past two summers, providing guidance and support to aspiring female engineers. She is also a member of Casey’s iWILL women’s employee resource group.
RISING STARS:
Jenny
Kuzet Senior Retail Key Account Manager PepsiCo Inc.
• Kuzet was nominated for her accomplishments as revenue growth senior manager at PepsiCo. In this role, she led the convenience and gas revenue growth management strategy for the South Division of PepsiCo US Beverages, encompassing 15,000 stores and supporting nearly $700 million in annual net revenue. She was recently promoted to her current position as senior retail key account manager.
• While in her previous role, Kuzet collaborated cross-functionally to bring the 12-ounce, eight-pack can from ideation to market in the convenience channel in less than six months. The solution provided a new opening price point for the channel, exceeded project targets, and drove retailer benefits and positive topline and PepsiCo share performance.
• Kuzet was recognized at the divisional and national levels for her work on the development of this new innovation.
Addison Lazarus
Product Manager, MarTech RaceTrac Inc.
• As product manager for RaceTrac's loyalty app and website, Lazarus is pivotal to the retailer's guest experience strategy. In addition to carefully analyzing guest feedback, business objectives and emerging technologies to develop future features and improvements, she serves as a collaborative bridge between the IT and marketing teams.
• Lazarus led the complete overhaul of RaceTrac's mobile app with a focus on modernizing its performance while ensuring future scalability. Her cross-functional team leadership led to skyrocketing app ratings, an 87% increase in users and the establishment of a strong digital platform that positions RaceTrac for continued innovation.
• According to her nominator, Lazarus is constantly challenging herself and others to push the boundaries of what is possible. She also volunteers her time to educate RaceTrac interns, sharing details of her career journey.
Meghan Lynch
District Manager, Coastal Carolina Business Unit Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K
• Lynch oversees 12 stores and 135 team members in her district, and has become known as the go-to leader for major initiatives in her market. She recently led the successful completion of eight remodels and one innovative new-to-industry store, in addition to piloting several new programs in her district.
• Since taking on her current role, Lynch's district has seen merchandise sales increase 5.9% and fuel sales increase 16% in a competitive market. Her district also has the highest food sales in the Coastal Carolina Business Unit.
• Lynch’s rapid rise from a lead customer service representative to store manager to now district manager reflects the deep operational knowledge, relentless drive and genuine passion that make her one of ACT’s most promising leaders, her nominator said.
• Lyons plays a crucial role in the successful execution of truenorth's advertising, social media and brand initiatives, ensuring that everything from in-store promotions to digital campaigns are implemented effectively, optimized and aligned with strategic objectives.
• Last year, she used her educational background in sports to assist truenorth's marketing expansion into sports sponsorships, including name, image and likeness deals. She makes sure these partnerships go beyond logo placements to drive true brand awareness and customer engagement for the retailer.
• Lyons was also critical to launching truenorth's new rewards program and mobile app, one of the retailer’s biggest initiatives in 2024, as well as streamlining key marketing operations, particularly in signage distribution and digital execution. This has improved storelevel execution and ensures consistent messaging across locations.
Shannon Marchesan
Retail Pricing & Analytics Specialist
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
• Marchesan's influence extends comprehensively across Chevron's COCO division, with a direct impact on merchandising strategies, operational efficiency and customer experience enhancement throughout California, Oregon and Washington. Her competitive insights have enhanced Chevron's market positioning and her work has elevated its foodservice business to achieve double-digit sales growth.
• Last year, she helped optimize product mix to enhance gross margin performance across the network, led the full-scale deployment of a bean-to-cup program, and implemented comprehensive food waste reduction tools to increase profitability while enhancing operational efficiency.
• Marchesan is known for her exceptional mentorship capabilities and collaborative approach. She combines operational excellence with strategic vision and has earned multiple internal awards for her consistently high-level performance.
Kaitlyn Meara Category Manager
GPM
Investments LLC
• As lead buyer for the nicotine category at GPM, Meara helps set overall goals and key measures while developing strategies to deliver against category metrics. She contributes to manufacturer resource optimization, analytical infrastructure, promotional strategy and design, and more.
• In 2024, she oversaw a complete overhaul of GPM's backbar to provide a premium and organized shopping experience. According to her nominator, Meara's leadership and vision resulted in a fantastic year for tobacco and set the stage for an exciting 2025.
• Meara also built a promotional program to grow GPM's business in innovative new nicotine products and designed infrastructure to measure the efficacy of these promotions. This initiative proved to be a massive success and will shape the category's future promotional strategy.
Whitney Miller
Retail Operations Integration
Project Manager
Kwik Trip Inc.
• Miller manages and executes all retail-related software, hardware, projects, training and analytics at Kwik Trip. She additionally oversees the retail business analyst area of the company, and fosters partnerships between external vendors and internal teams.
• Her recent accomplishments include supervising the companywide rollout of electronic shelf tags to 900 stores in nine months, three months ahead of schedule; helping to build a kitchen production system that integrates forecasted food sales to maximize sales and control waste; and preparing multiple new long-term company initiatives.
• Miller's depth of experience and understanding of retail enables her to make decisions for Kwik Trip’s stores that allow them to perform at a high level, her nominator said. She is a key leader in working cooperatively between the company’s retail division and all other support center departments.
Jyoti Mujumdar
Senior Manager, C&G Channel Insights & Strategy
PepsiCo Inc.
• Mujumdar supports PepsiCo Foods' convenience and gas sales strategy and its national sales team as a subject matter expert. She provides channel insights and analysis to support current sales initiatives, as well as key developments for the future.
• She made direct contributions to numerous high-impact projects last year, which included significant analysis for key strategic initiatives, and leading channel-insights work to uncover untapped price tiers in the snacking space. This resulted in a new products and bundles promotional strategy.
• Mujumdar is a true partner who always answers the call and never encounters a task too large for her to tackle. She is viewed as a leader among her peers and has positively impacted PepsiCo in every role she has undertaken, her nominator noted.
Miranda Murphy Director of Fuel Weigel's Inc.
• Murphy oversees every aspect of Weigel's fuel operations, encompassing supply contract negotiations, analyzing market data to optimize pricing strategies, and maintaining strategic relationships with key vendors.
• She led the implementation of advanced pricing automation tools and real-time analytics that enhanced company decision-making, optimized margins and made Weigel's more responsive to market trends, contributing significantly to the bottom line. She also plays a critical role in ensuring fuel availability and operational efficiency across all locations.
• Murphy's unparalleled work ethic, ability to drive financial success and commitment to operational excellence have made her an indispensable leader whose role is integral to Weigel's success and continued growth, according to her nominator.
Allie Nguyen
Real Estate Strategy & Reporting Manager, Global Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K
• Nguyen leads a high-performing team that transforms complex data into powerful insights, driving business decisions across North America. She is responsible for reporting and strategic planning/analysis for real estate and all groups under that banner, including construction, property management, maintenance and energy.
• Her recent achievements include creating a full quarterly reporting package that unifies performance metrics across construction and property management. She also spearheaded the rollout of the company's game-changing whitespace tool, a platform that is now foundational to market planning, site selection and growth forecasting.
• Nguyen is a catalyst for how the company evolves as a data-driven organization. Her impact is transformational as she redefines how to measure success, assess opportunities and make confident decisions, ACT’s leadership said.
Billie Jo Nowak
Operations Integration Manager
bp Products North America
• Nowak leads a team of project managers and change coaches that enable integration of all new programs, processes and technology into bp's U.S. retail business. She interfaces with all of bp’s convenience and mobility departments, and turns stakeholder visions into operational realities.
• She redesigned the training program for store teams, which led to better learning outcomes and $1 million in savings per year. She also played a key role in the transition of West Coast sites to company-owned and -operated, while implementing a new back-office system, and led the inventory transition to item level for the Thorntons brand.
• Nowak is known as a mentor who champions the development of others, as well as a leader on bp's safety council for U.S. convenience, where she creates the agenda, determines focus areas and develops solutions.
Erin Ortuzar
Senior Category Manager, Beer 7-Eleven Inc.
• Ortuzar oversees a team covering three major U.S. regions and manages nearly $3 billion in retail sales annually across more than 10,000 stores. Her strategic focus on the execution of store operations and development of bold, results-driven strategies have increased both excitement and category expansion.
• She has led numerous key initiatives, such as the overall beer planogram process and pricing optimization. In 2024, she led her team to industry-leading results of $2.76 billion in sales and growth of 5.3 million units during a challenging year for the category.
• Ortuzar is a champion of other women and seeks to give them a voice in the convenience retail space. She is also known for building a strong team culture of performance and success, continuously raising the bar on what great looks like.
RISING STARS:
Maria Ottone
Category Manager, Center Store Onvo
• Ottone is regarded for bringing a fresh perspective to her role as she focuses on increasing sales, improving category performance and building strong vendor relationships to enhance Onvo's center store programs.
• In the past year, she spearheaded the development of new pricing strategies and the introduction of new and innovative candy options, which have boosted sales and margin, resulting in a 20% improvement in the category. Ottone also launched a suggestive sell program that had a substantial impact on conversion rates for candy and salty snacks.
• She is skilled at keeping category offerings fresh and appealing through both conventional and nonconventional growth opportunities, and her dedication to transforming the center store business has led to significant growth and established Onvo as a destination for adventurous snack lovers, her nominator said.
Ashima Patel
Senior Director, 7NEXT Innovation, Marketing Tech & Analytics 7-Eleven Inc.
• Patel crafts and executes the pivotal strategy for 7-Eleven's journey in the digital and tech realms, which the retailer revitalizes annually. She furthers innovation by exploring strategic advancements in workforce management, theft reduction, kiosks and robotics, ensuring the company stays ahead in retail technology.
• She’s been celebrated for leading transformative initiatives to enhance operational and store efficiency, customer experience and technological innovation; building and scaling a proprietary self-checkout system for 7-Eleven, ensuring stability, reliability and customer usability; and various proof of concepts including but not limited to 7Search, an AI-powered search tool, and AI chatbots to support enterprise use cases.
• Patel is known internally for her leadership in driving automation, scalability and cost efficiencies, as well as her efforts to raise the visibility of women and boost growth opportunities for leadership.
Lisa Patterson Operations Manager Core-Mark International
• Patterson plays a crucial role in ensuring operational excellence across multiple areas at Core-Mark, including KPI achievement, inventory management, financial oversight and staff development. She collaborates with multiple departments to drive efficiency across the enterprise.
• Among her recent accomplishments, Patterson redesigned pick lines to enhance efficiency and capacity, and led strategic efforts in inventory to reduce shrink by 19.4% year over year. She also seamlessly transitioned Louisiana’s post-stamp cigarettes to pre-stamp, mitigating financial risk and ensuring a smooth handoff to the company's new Houston OpCo.
• Patterson's nominator describes her as an exceptional leader with an undeniable impact on the organization, who is making a lasting impact on both Core-Mark and the industry at large.
Casey Schuemaker Director of Marketing PMG Carolinas LLC
• Schuemaker is responsible for marketing strategies and activities at PMG, which encompasses the development of marketing strategies, brand management, planning and executing advertising and promotional campaigns, and more.
• In the past year, she played a pivotal role in implementing innovative pricing strategies and identifying new revenue streams, and spearheaded transformative strategic initiatives like the rollout of PMG's loyalty program. She also played a key role in backbar resets that drove sales and trips while increasing market share.
• Schuemaker has a reputation for possessing a results-oriented approach, innovative thinking and the ability to drive positive change while consistently demonstrating a commitment to excellence in all aspects of her work.
Partnership + Leadership
Congratulations to Hebe Alexander and Taylor Skinner on their recognition by Top Women in Convenience 2025! Hebe’s transformative work in Lean Six Sigma and leadership of IgniteHER, McLane’s women’s business resource group, along with Taylor’s strategic excellence as Market Director and innovative problem-solving, exemplify the outstanding talent at McLane. These well-deserved awards highlight our commitment to cultivating exceptional leadership that drives operational excellence and delivers superior service to our customers. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this achievement with both Hebe and Taylor!
Hebe Alexander Senior-Level Leader
Taylor Skinner Rising Star
RISING STARS:
Amanda Shadle Marketing
Specialist
Lil' Drug Store Products
• Shadle manages the full product lifecycle of the Cadence OTC account, from onboarding new items to pricing discussions to SKU recommendations. She is known for demonstrating exceptional problem-solving skills while taking a data-driven approach, which has been instrumental to the brand's success.
• In the past year, she took a lead role in navigating the marketing, logistics and legal questions tied to the emergency contraception category, an emerging c-store category for the brand. Her efforts expanded a regional test into a national rollout, pushing Cadence to be the No. 1 product in the segment.
• Shadle has the unique ability to turn challenges into opportunities as she seamlessly leads cross-functional collaboration to drive initiatives forward and deliver measurable impacts on the channel, according to her nominator.
Taylor Skinner
Market Director McLane Co. Inc.
• Skinner strategically aligns and supports 12 convenience store customers in the Central region and has oversight of budget management, sales programs and customer relations. Her work directly impacts McLane's overall business growth and ability to meet the evolving needs of its customers.
• She recently led the development of a new forecasting and tracking process for customer inventory, spearheaded the creation of a new item launch process, and played a pivotal role in the rollout of a major delivery process improvement project.
• Skinner is actively involved in McLane's mentorship program and regularly demonstrates a commitment to professionally developing others. Her nominator noted that Skinner’s ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution makes her an integral teammate.
Elsa Storts
Trade Show & Event Manager BeatBox Beverages
• Storts was nominated for her accomplishments as trade marketing manager for national accounts, where she partnered with Beatbox's national account directors to support convenience retail initiatives and played a pivotal role in the development of creative, consumer-centric programming to drive incremental sales and build brand affinity. Storts was recently elevated to trade show and event manager.
• Storts had many achievements in 2024. Key among them was conceptualizing and executing national sweepstakes; coordinating multiple high-impact activations for all regional trade shows; and managing custom promotional programs across Beatbox's national and regional retail partners.
• According to her nominator, Storts brings bold ideas to life and uplifts those around her while demonstrating a passion for innovation, excellence in execution and commitment to the industry.
Kimberly Strode
Marketing Manager
truenorth Convenience Stores
• Strode's influence spans from the store level to regional media markets as she oversees the building of truenorth's marketing, advertising and brand strategy across all platforms, including in-store promotions, digital marketing, media partnerships, customer engagement initiatives and sports partnerships.
• Over time, Strode has transformed truenorth's media presence, expanding its advertising from a single radio partner approach to a multichannel, data-driven model. She helped build brand recognition not just as a Shell partner, but also as a standalone brand through her efforts to emphasize truenorth’s tagline of "fast, friendly, clean" in promoting core products, proprietary offers and unique customer experience.
• In 2024, Strode led the rollout of truenorth's first mobile app and rewards program. Additionally, she was instrumental in securing truenorth's first-ever collegiate sports sponsorships with a Big Ten university, while strengthening the company's internal marketing function and building a long-term strategy.
Taylor Talty Manager of Government Affairs RaceTrac Inc.
• Talty helps shape the legislative landscape to align with RaceTrac's strategic vision, wielding influence across multiple levels of government. Her expertise ranges from local zoning regulations to complex federal energy mandates.
• Last year, she directly engaged with lawmakers to produce tangible results throughout the year by collaborating with the Georgia General Assembly to advance legislation relevant to c-stores. She also helped to orchestrate the high-profile grand openings of RaceTrac's first electric vehicle charging stores in Texas and Ohio.
• RaceTrac leadership has recognized Talty for her advocacy work for tort reform. She is considered a rising star to watch in the government affairs and public policy space, who is sharp, hardworking and diligent in the pursuit of excellence.
Michele Tamplain Director of Fuel Product Optimization Murphy USA Inc./QuickChek
• Tamplain was nominated for her accomplishments as director of secondary fuels, where she focused on the company’s pricing and placement strategy for all secondary fuels. She spent 18 months building out this capability, which had a materially positive impact on the financial performance of retail fuels at MUSA. Tamplain was recently elevated to her new role as director of fuel product optimization.
• In addition to her primary role, Tamplain is the leader of Murphy's Organizational Excellence Initiative, which is focused on ensuring team engagement, development and career progression. She also leads the company's intern program.
• Tamplain was nominated to participate in MUSA’s Empowered Series, a yearlong, high-impact enterprise leadership development class.
CONGRATULATIONS ASHLEY GOCKSTETTER
VICE PRESIDENT OF CUSTOMER
RISING STARS:
Jessica Vislocky
Retail Compliance & Environmental Manager bp Products North America
• Vislocky leads a team of health, safety and environment (HSE) advisors across the U.S. and serves as the local lead on all HSE programs and critical processes, such as environmental, compliance emergency response, and incident investigation.
• She negotiated new contracts for bp with environmental and compliance service providers, reducing costs while maintaining service levels. Vislocky also partnered with maintenance systems developers to improve software and successfully complete compliance-related maintenance, and helped implement and design a corporate social responsibility and quality control system strategy.
• Vislocky is known as a proactive and committed team collaborator and critical thinker with an exceptional ability to identify a challenge, assess against business requirements and gain consensus on recommended solutions.
Dr. Phyllis Weatherly
Senior Manager of Equity & Innovation Strategy Altria Group Distribution Co.
• Dr. Weatherly leads the in-store execution of brand strategy with a focus on modernizing and enhancing the tobacco category for Altria's retail trade partners. Her team is responsible for executing brand strategy, developing innovative merchandising solutions, managing resource procurement and leading execution plans.
• She spearheaded the strategy for the Backbar Reset Initiative, which involved overseeing the development of forward-looking, innovative merchandising solutions and managing resource procurement and distribution plans. She drove the creation and deployment of new-to-market, cost-effective merchandising solutions that provided modularity while addressing complex space and merchandising challenges for industry trade partners.
• Weatherly is a champion for change and innovation. She is a resilient leader with a forward-thinking approach that consistently delivers results and drives innovation.
MENTORS
Elisha Bostick
Regional Human Resources Manager Core-Mark International
• Bostick, who has worked for the company for 27 years, supports three Core-Mark Ohio OpCos. She is responsible for driving strategic people initiatives, supporting her business partners and ensuring her OpCos are relentlessly pursuing excellence in creating a dynamic associate experience. She leads a team of three HR generalists.
• According to her nominator, Bostick generously shares her wealth of expertise with anyone seeking guidance and carves out intentional time to mentor, lead and champion new initiatives. Countless individuals have benefited from her wisdom and support within the HR region and her local OpCo teams.
• What truly sets Bostick apart as a mentor is her genuine concern for the wellbeing and growth of those under her wing. She takes the time to understand everyone’s unique needs, both professionally and personally, forging meaningful connections and identifying strengths to empower her associates and direct reports.
Linda Cerbo
Senior Division Manager Reynolds American Inc.
• Cerbo has been with Reynolds American for 28 years and during that time, has been successful in nine different positions. She is currently a senior division manager of trade marketing and is responsible for managing and delivering 50% of Reynolds’ commercial business in New Jersey. She leads a team of nine direct reports, two of whom are new to the organization and the industry.
• Prior to joining Reynolds, Cerbo was a student teacher. She has been able to successfully apply her experiences as a teacher to mentor, train and influence people in various roles, both internally and externally throughout the convenience store industry.
• In 2024, Cerbo provided mentorship to three entry-level managers in her region. This entailed providing ongoing coaching, skill set development, and the necessary exposure and experiences needed for progression within the organization. Two of her three mentees were promoted and the other is on track for a promotion.
AMBER MILLWOOD Field Training Manager
The Spinx team is proud to recognize and congratulate her on this well-deserved achievement.
MENTORS:
Deanna Gary Sales Manager
Core-Mark International
• As a sales manager, Gary assesses and develops area sales representatives’ (SR) skills, provides direction and training to improve sales abilities, and leads the hiring process for SRs. She’s responsible for managing district sales managers and area managers, as well as assisting the customer service manager and team. In addition, she works closely with all departments to assist in growing the business.
• Gary served as a mentor in Core-Mark’s Rising Stars Program this past year and dedicated herself to ensuring that her mentee had all the tools needed to thrive. Once the program was successfully completed, she had a list of others that she wanted to mentor next — with action plans in place tailored to their individual needs.
• According to her nominator, Gary has spent her 38-year career at Core-Mark making everyone around her better, either by being a great role model or directly mentoring them. She is a humble and inspirational leader passionate about sharing her knowledge.
Lisa Grim Controller Rutter’s
• Grim joined Rutter’s in 1989 and has advanced from a store team member to controller. She plays a critical role in maintaining the financial integrity of Rutter’s, while helping to guide the company’s financial strategy and operational decisions.
• As a nontraditional degree graduate, Grim knows the commitment it takes to be successful in the convenience store industry and she uses this knowledge to mentor others in the accounting department who are on a similar career path, her nominator noted.
• Grim provides many opportunities for her team to be involved in the process improvement initiatives at Rutter’s, encouraging them to provide input regarding the approach to problem solving and meeting internal improvement demands. Throughout her tenure, she has mentored several of her team members and helped them achieve career advancement within the company.
Allison Himenes
Retail Team Manager
Swedish Match North America
• Himenes analyzes the needs regarding businessbuilding opportunities and develops plans for the utilization of district personnel's time and efforts in accomplishing specific company, region and district goals and standards.
• She has served at every level of the Swedish Match Professional Women Rising employee resource group, including as a board member. First benefiting as a mentee, she has since served as a mentor to junior members of the sales organization, helping women with career development guidance, skills and training development, as well as aiding them in gaining exposure to senior levels of the organization.
• Over the past four years, Himenes has invested significant amounts of time, discretionary effort and passion into mentoring and developing women in the Swedish Match sales organization. According to her nominator, she is a positive team builder who consistently demonstrates her leadership ability and care for the wellbeing of her team.
Leilani Hinojosa
District
Manager
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K
• Hinojosa’s journey from part-time cashier to district manager of one of the highest-volume districts in Circle K’s Texas Business Unit is a testament to her grit, talent and unwavering commitment to developing others, her nominator said.
• She is widely known as a mentor, advocate and role model across Circle K, not only within her district but also throughout the business unit. She plays an active role in developing store managers in training and mentoring participants in Circle K’s 12-month College to Convenience program.
• “Leilani is a shining example of how frontline team members can grow into impactful leaders who pay it forward by mentoring the next generation. Leaders like Leilani are essential to our success — they support our stores, develop our people and drive the growth of Circle K through a strong culture of succession and shared purpose,” ACT’s leadership team stated.
Hilary Hoffman
Manager, Supply Chain Efficiency
Casey’s General Stores Inc.
• Hoffman’s role touches nearly every aspect of Casey’s, either directly or indirectly, and her business acumen expands well beyond her primary role and responsibilities. She is often sought out for assistance with complex cross-functional issues.
• With direct leadership over four supply chain analysts, most of whom have been in the workforce for less than five years, Hoffman dedicates weekly one-onone mentoring time to each team member. She takes them through mind-mapping exercises to get a full picture of not only their skill set, but also their interests, and then ties that to projects that will either help them develop a gap or further grow a strength.
• Hoffman’s team has affectionately coined the term, “You got Hilaried,” which means she is coaching you to be able to answer your own question rather than providing a direct answer. This consistency in approach and real-time coaching has led her team to be one of the highest-performing at Casey’s.
Ethel Mangum
Region Director, Operations
7-Eleven Inc.
• As region director of operations for 7-Eleven's Lone Star Region – Dallas/Fort Worth, Mangum leads a high-performing team of market managers and area leader consultants, overseeing operational performance and driving strategic initiatives across multiple locations in partnership with franchisee independent operators.
• Since joining 7-Eleven four years ago, Mangum has distinguished herself as a champion of internal talent development. Under her leadership, the region has achieved an impressive 85% internal promotion rate — an outcome driven by her focus on leadership training and succession planning.
• Mangum’s leadership philosophy centers on mentorship and professional growth. She is deeply committed to empowering individuals at every level of the organization, ensuring they have the tools, support and opportunities to succeed. Her efforts have not only elevated team performance, but also made a lasting impact on the careers of many within her current and prior region assignments.
Catherine Michalski Director, Business Transformation 7-Eleven Inc.
• Promoted to her current role in May 2024, Michalski oversees cross-functional teams and collaborates closely with senior leadership to drive enterprise-wide cost optimization initiatives, enhance operational efficiencies and streamline business processes to align with 7-Eleven’s long-term strategic objectives.
• She not only drives significant financial impact, but also contributes to 7-Eleven’s culture of mentorship, inclusion and continuous improvement, her nominator said. Michalski leads the 7Mentoring program, through which she’s facilitated professional development and career advancement opportunities for over 700 individuals. In addition, she co-chaired the retailer’s 7-Network of Executive Women associate business resource group and is an active participant and founder of the 7-Network of Black Professionals.
• Outside of work, Michalski has a passion for helping others. She currently serves as chief financial officer for Legacy Village Inc., a health-focused nonprofit organization.
Taedeen Stanley
Senior Food & Beverage Manager RaceTrac Inc.
• Stanley is a key leader in RaceTrac’s food operations, supporting field teams across three regions spanning six states. Through collaboration with category managers and other partners at the retailer’s store support center, she oversees food safety, food programs and food offers, ensuring smooth execution. She also manages the opening process for all new RaceTrac sites, and works with directors in the regions she supports to cultivate future talent.
• Her hands-on approach to leadership training and development has made her a trusted resource. This past year, Stanley played a key role in team development by mentoring and promoting four operations training supervisors to operations supervisors, reinforcing RaceTrac's culture of growth.
• Outside of work, Stanley is the founder of The Harriet Hall Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides information, advice, scholarships and mentorship to minority women and girls in Jamaica. CSN
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THE 2025 CONVENIENCE STORE NEWS TOP WOMEN IN CONVENIENCE PROGRAM IS SPONSORED BY:
HELPING THE INDUSTRY LEVEL UP
The 2025 NACS Show will equip convenience retailers with the insights to move their businesses forward
By Kathleen Furore
IN OCTOBER 2024, a record 26,124 attendees gathered at the NACS Show in Las Vegas to experience four days of education, networking and a look at what was hot and new in the global convenience and fuel retailing industry. This year, organizers plan to build upon that success with an information-packed event set for Oct. 14-17 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
The 2025 NACS Show will feature more than 1,000 exhibitors showcasing products in five areas of interest: Facility Development & Store Operations, Food Equipment & Foodservice Programs, Fuel Equipment & Services, In-Store Merchandise and Technology, according to Jeff Lenard, vice president of media and strategic communications for industry association NACS.
2025 NACS SHOW AT A GLANCE McCormick Place, Chicago CONFERENCE: Oct. 14-17, 2025 EXPO: Oct. 15-17, 2025 nacsshow.com
“The 435,000 square feet of expo space is sold out and there is a waitlist. We’ve also created space for companies new to the industry to exhibit in the New Exhibitor Area, which is also sold out,” Lenard told Convenience Store News
“There will be 1,150 exhibitors and 164 are new to the NACS Show. It’s the one event of the year that helps drive our members’ businesses forward and set their strategic planning process for the coming year.”
What’s in Store
Each year, NACS builds a narrative for the event that reflects where the global convenience retail industry is heading. The theme of this year’s show is “Level Up.”
“Our theme is always focused on the industry, and this year’s theme — Level Up — playfully addresses today’s
business climate in which customers expect more and more every year,” Lenard explained. “It conveys the need to continually advance in an always-competitive marketplace where every retailer in every channel is trying to capture the attention of the convenience customer.”
The show’s education sessions will deliver relevant and engaging content that ties into the theme. They’ll be presented in various formats, including panel discussions, roundtables, case studies, workshops and masterclasses.
“Our education team and convention content committee, made up of retailers and suppliers, build tracks that are relevant to specific education areas cited by retailers, such as business strategy, category management, foodservice and food safety, operations, marketing, people, customer experience, technology and fuel,” Lenard said. “This year we’re tapping into hot-button trends like GLP-1s and snacking, flavor trends and menu optimization, as well as operational issues around loss prevention and safety, customer experience and the art of negotiation. We also have tracks developed for small operators and suppliers. … There is something for everyone.”
Among the education sessions being offered this year are:
• GLP-1s and the New Snack Equation
• The Evolving Tobacco and Vape Landscape
• Hot Today, Gone Tomorrow? Navigating Flavor Trends
• Oops! Preventing Accidents and Keeping Employees Safe
• Leveling Up Your Social Media Strategy
• Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Growth and Profit
• Forecourt Strategies to Increase Trip Frequency and Conversion
• Unlocking the Power of Data for Smaller Retailers
General sessions will also address strategies retailers can employ to transform their businesses.
Sebastian Terry will serve as the opening general session speaker on Oct. 14. He’s an expert in personal transformation, peak performance and creating environments for success.
At the Oct. 15 general session, presenters will talk about how convenience retailers have transformed their operations to create unique environments for their employees and customers. The 2025 NACS Ideas 2 Go video will also debut and showcase exceptional retail from around the world — with plenty of takeaways for everyone in the audience.
The Oct. 16 general session will be what Lenard calls “a lively discussion on the future of convenience” with current NACS President and CEO Henry Armour and new NACS
President and CEO Frank Gleeson who will officially take the helm on Jan. 1, 2026.
The final general session on Oct. 17 was still under wraps as of press time, but “promises to be engaging and tie into our ‘Level Up’ theme with an interactive presentation,” Lenard said.
Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to explore trends in two areas specifically focused on the latest products and innovations shaping the industry. The Cool New Products Preview Room will feature hundreds of new products and solutions available to convenience store operators. The New Exhibitor Area will showcase the latest technology, products and companies entering the c-store market, including emerging categories.
“Retailers can get a quick and easy look at the trends they’ll see on a larger scale inside the expo and create a shopping list of exhibitors they want to visit,” Lenard said of the Cool New Products Preview Room. Prior to the official show opening, this space will be open exclusively to retailers, distributors and wholesalers. Once the show is open, all attendees can visit.
Navigating the Show
With so many education sessions, exhibitors and networking opportunities that will be available throughout the four-day event, how can attendees make the most of the 2025 NACS Show?
According to Lenard, bringing colleagues to the event and creating a daily plan everyone can follow are must-dos. “With more than 50 education sessions, it takes more than one person to capture all the great insights and learnings,” he noted.
“For the expo, divide and conquer to make sure your team covers as much ground as possible,” he added, advising that comfortable shoes are essential for traversing the event space. “At the end of the day, take time to debrief with your team and share ideas, as well as plan the following day to achieve your business objectives.”
The NACS Show Mobile App can help attendees plan for the experience they want.
“It’s a good idea to do this before you land in Chicago to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the sessions and booths you want to attend and see,” Lenard said. “This will be my 25th NACS Show and there really isn’t another event that I can compare it to in terms of energy, excitement and smiles.” CSN
This year's expo will feature 1,150 exhibitors, with 164 new to the NACS Show.
30th Anniversary Report Card
Retail Compliance Progress
SYNAR REPORT: Violation rates have dropped from 40.1% in 1997 to 9.6% (2018 report).
FDA COMPLIANCE CHECKS:
In 2024, retailers achieved an 85% compliance rate in 116,000+ store inspections.
CDC YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR
SURVEY: High schoolers report getting vaping products 79% of the time through social sourcing rather than direct retail purchases.
Retailers Value We Card Training
2024 POST-TRAINING SURVEY RESULTS:
• 99% of trainees feel “confident” or “more confident” in enforcing age restrictions.
• 77% report increased confidence in denying underage sales.
• 93% rate We Card’s training as “Good” or “Great.”
Providing Essential Retailer Tools
• 1.2 million We Card Kits (signage, training materials, and age-calculation tools).
• 7.1 million training tools distributed.
• 4.5 million age-calculation tools (calendars, stickers).
• 6.1 million in-store signage materials.
• 700,000+ trained employees, with another 1.1 million trained by We Cardcertified staff.
Shaped a Culture of Responsibility
• Established carding best practices across retail
• Influenced a training-first mindset among retailers
• Helped to institutionalize point-of-sale age verification
Addressing the Growing “Social Sourcing” Problem
While commercial access to tobacco and vaping products has declined, social sourcing (youth acquiring products from adults or peers) has risen.
We Card is tackling this issue through its “Be A Real Influencer” and “We Card, We Care” campaigns, reaching 34,000+ stores with awareness materials.
We Card Training tackles the issue as well, teaching employees to deny suspected “of age” adult purchases on behalf of anyone under 21.
Permissible Indulgence
The 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo highlighted how consumers are prioritizing snacking
By Danielle Romano
THERE’S NO DENYING that economic pressures are bearing down on U.S. shoppers. Yet, snacking remains a priority for consumers, who are allowing themselves the simple pleasure of an afternoon pick-me-up or a before-bed treat.
In fact, nearly half of Americans (48.8%) snack three or more times a day, a 2.7% increase year over year, with younger demographics (aged 18-44) leading the charge, Sally Lyons Wyatt, global executive vice president and chief industry advisor for Circana, shared during a session at the 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo, which took place May 13-15 in Indianapolis.
While momentum has slowed this year, recently released Circana data entitled "Snack Unwrap: The Insatiable Craving for Growth" reinforces snacking's importance in fulfilling needs ranging from quick hunger fixes to indulgent cravings to wellness goals. For retailers and brands, this presents an opportunity to align with shifting preferences.
The Circana executive presented four trends that are driving where growth is being found today and what consumers are gravitating toward:
1. Redefining Value
Inflationary pressures are leading consumers to make more strategic snack purchases, such as multipacks or variety options. The club and mass channels are benefitting from this shift, while the dollar channel offers a more affordable entry price point.
Some other ways Lyons Watt said snacking consumers are redefining value are:
• Despite budget constraints, premium snack purchases are on the rise, reflecting consumers’ desire
for greater satisfaction and indulgence.
• Private label is providing multipronged value and now accounts for 16.7% of unit share in Circana’s core snack sectors, up 3.1% year over year.
• Value can also mean options that can be eaten on the go, at work, home or even on the road. Nearly 54% of consumers eat snacks instead of a meal.
2. A Holistic Journey
Consumers are increasingly seeking snacks that align with their dietary and wellness goals. Approximately 64.1% actively look for snacks perceived as "good for them," reflecting a 7.4% increase since 2020.
Categories such as yogurt, natural cheese chunks and high-protein options are experiencing robust dollar growth due to their nutritional appeal. Specific ingredients, functional benefits and packaging that align with consumers’ attitudes are also being amplified, while claims such as high-fiber, organic, gluten-free, real and calories/fat/sugar callouts continue to gain traction.
3. Innovation Fuels Consumer Demand
From functional snacks with health benefits to indulgent treats with nostalgic twists, brands are successfully appealing to today’s diverse consumption needs. Nearly six in 10 consumers say they enjoy snacks that add excitement to their routines, Lyons Wyatt cited.
"As we look across the types of exploration consumers are looking for, experience is one of the biggest factors," she said. "In one of the largest percent changes from 2020, 57.7% of consumers look for authentic and/or unique experiences, while 10.6% of consumers look for bold and/or unexpected flavors."
4. Emerging Channels & Influences
The way consumers shop for snacks is also evolving, with
Photo credit: 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo
nearly 50% saying they bought snacks online in 2024. Convenience, flexible delivery options and price-surfing behaviors have all contributed to the growing prominence of e-commerce in the snacking sector.
Consumers are also influenced by:
• Their previous usage and trust of a brand
• An item's price
• The product label/packaging
• Shopper loyalty and discounts
• TV or radio advertising
• Recommendation from a store clerk
• Social media
The ‘Better-to-You’ Category Sweets and snacks aren't things people need; they are things people want and seek.
"The sweets and snacks world is used to make consumers feel better. A lot of the time, people are looking for joy vs. pragmatic solutions when it comes to snacking,” said presenter Hunter Thurman, CEO of Alpha-Diver, a Cincinnati-based market research firm that uses predictive data and behavioral science to help drive consumers' purchase decisions. “The last few years, the focus has been on 'better for you,' but we should be positioning candy and snacks as 'better to you.'"
Understanding the psychological principles that drive consumer behavior to candy and snacks at each stage of a brand's growth is as essential as it is advantageous, he explained.
The initial stage — which is convincing a consumer to pick a product for the first time — is governed by a set of psychological principles that determine whether the product grabs consumers' attention and piques their interest to try the product.
"The key is consistency and repetition, creating strong associations that make reaching for your brand automatic
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2025 Stats
Exhibitors:
1,000+ (including 300-plus first-timers)
in certain situations," Thurman said, pointing to Classical Conditioning triggers such as pairing the product with enjoyable activities like afterschool rides home, morning breaks or transitions between daily activities.
During the second phase, the product is battling for repeat purchase and preference patterns. To that end, the Endowment Effect is a psychological principle where people place higher value on things they already own vs. identical items they don't possess.
In the final stage, a brand transitions from conscious choice to habitual purchase. Here, psychological principles related to routines and long-term behavior patterns dominate consumer decision-making. Once a brand has become part of a consumer's routine, decision-making transforms from conscious choices into automatic behaviors.
"When a snack becomes part of a routine — the afternoon energy boost, the commute treat, the movie night essential — it bypasses the normal decision process entirely. This explains why established brands focus heavily on consistency and occasion-based marketing: they're reinforcing the habit loops that drive automatic purchases," Thurman told attendees.
Trendspotting on the Expo Floor
There was no lack of creativity seen from the supplier companies exhibiting at the 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo. Top trends observed on the expo floor included:
• Multisensorial Experiences — The freeze-dried frenzy continues, but there's still space in the multisensorial arena for more players and innovative products.
• “Newstalgia” — Tried-and-true classics are getting a boost, combining familiarity with novelty to bring newstalgia to life.
• #Dubaichocolate — Made famous on TikTok, Dubai Chocolate products were in abundance at this year's expo. They typically feature a pistachio cream combined with crunchy pieces of shredded phyllo dough called kataifi.
14,500
Attendees: from 85-plus countries
• “Swicy” & Global Flavors — The sweet and spicy combination known as “swicy” is making an appearance in flavor profiles such as chamoy, a sweet and salty Mexican condiment made from pickled fruit, chili, lime and salt. Other globally inspired flavors on display were matcha latte and Pad Thai.
Education Sessions:
250,000+ square Show Floor: 40+
• Brand Partnerships & Tie-ins — Cross-brand collaborations are playing a bigger role in the confectionery and snack industries as companies look to partner with compatible brands and build consumer engagement and excitement.
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo will take place May 19-21 in Las Vegas. CSN
A CHANGING BUSINESS
Three industry insiders offer their take on the dynamics at play on the c-store backbar
By Linda Lisanti
THE DAYS OF CONVENIENCE STORES being the land of “cokes and smokes” may be numbered.
Tobacco products remain a crucial part of the convenience store business, comprising roughly 30% of the industry’s annual in-store sales, but the backbar is in flux. As price-conscious consumers alter their purchasing habits and manufacturers increasingly focus on reduced risk and harm reduction, smokefree products are picking up speed.
Convenience Store News recently caught up with three industry insiders — Ethan Harris, Keelan Gallagher and Jessica Starnes — to discuss the current dynamics at play on the c-store backbar and what lies ahead for this changing business. Harris is a senior business analyst with Cadent Consulting Group. Gallagher is vice president of operations for Smoker Friendly International, a retailer with hundreds of independently owned stores in 13 states. Starnes is the tobacco category manager for Weigel’s, operator of 80-plus convenience stores in Tennessee.
CSN: What are the top positive and negative factors impacting the convenience store tobacco/nicotine business at this time?
HARRIS: Government regulation is currently impacting the business in both positive and negative ways. When it comes to emerging smokeless, spitless products that are driving growth, regulation is pulling the industry in opposing directions.
On the negative side, several municipalities have banned flavored products. For instance, flavored nicotine products are illegal in major markets like Washington, D.C., and California. Since flavor is a major draw for these lower-risk alternatives, such bans can significantly hurt sales, particularly in convenience stores. On the positive side, there have been encouraging developments,
such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent authorization of Zyn pouches. The FDA affirmed that these products pose lower health risks compared to combustible tobacco and approved them for marketing in the U.S. While this may not have an immediate impact on sales, regulatory backing can boost consumer confidence and awareness, ultimately serving as a tailwind for convenience store revenue.
GALLAGHER: The main positive impact this year has been the growth in modern oral tobacco. Both white pouches (Zyn, Velo, etc.) and tobacco alternatives (Black Buffalo, Ammo, etc.) are growing. White pouches seem to attract consumers from cigarettes, vapor and moist snuff. The tobacco alternatives specifically
“The evolution of the backbar in 10 years is going to vary state by state and even city by city.”
— Keelan Gallagher, Smoker Friendly International
attract the moist snuff consumer. In both cases, some consumers continue to purchase their historic category as well as their modern oral product. Another subcategory of interest is fourth-tier and private label cigarettes, which are both showing growth. Because premium cigarettes are declining, this suggests some downtrading.
The negative impacts are primarily legislative. At the local level, flavor bans and generational tobacco bans. At the state level, various state excise tax increases and many states adopting OTP and vapor directories. At the federal level, lack of certainty from the FDA.
STARNES: Negative factors are illicit vapor and the lack of regulations. A positive factor is the rise of nicotine pouches. How exciting to see a tobacco category growing daily!
CSN: Pricing has become a major issue in the convenience store tobacco/nicotine business. What best practices should retailers follow?
STARNES: You must stay competitive to be relevant in traditional tobacco. I think there is room for blend in the innovation categories.
HARRIS: For starters, focus on smart promotions — discount the right products at the right depth to drive traffic and trial without eroding margin. Retailers should
“As older consumers age out of the category and are not replaced by younger smokers, smokeless products will become the primary growth engine for c-stores.”
— Ethan Harris, Cadent Consulting Group
“Overall, I do not see the backbar footage decreasing at all, just repositioning categories based on demand.”
— Jessica Starnes, Weigel’s
also highlight manufacturer rewards programs. [Some brands] offer loyalty programs that let consumers earn points by redeeming codes found on product packaging, which can be exchanged for prizes. Promoting these programs in-store can boost engagement and repeat purchases.
GALLAGHER: Operators should critically evaluate a contract that restricts their ability to be flexible at their lowest price point. There is more downtrading and less brand loyalty, and a variety of offerings could take advantage of this trend. However, it is important to be aware of each brand’s margins as you do not want to shift consumers from a higher margin to a lower one.
CSN: How do you foresee the c-store backbar evolving in the next 10 years?
GALLAGHER: The evolution of the backbar in 10 years is going to vary state by state and even city by city. Some states will continue to have a robust total nicotine selection in all categories and will offer non-nicotine items that are in demand and legal within their state. Other states are likely to have their nicotine offering reduced to MRTPs [modified risk tobacco products] and will heavily rely on non-nicotine age-restricted products, as well as nootropics and hopefully some good future innovations. Some states will fall somewhere between the two. The worst case for operators would be local or state generational tobacco bans, which would create prohibition for a growing segment of adult consumers and place operators at a massive disadvantage.
STARNES: I think traditional tobacco will begin to shrink in space to make room for nicotine pouches and other new innovations coming. Overall, I do not see the backbar footage decreasing at all, just repositioning categories based on demand.
HARRIS: Nicotine pouches are the fastest-growing segment. Major tobacco players like Philip Morris and Altria have declared their commitment to a “smokefree future” and are investing heavily in these alternatives. Given the explosive growth of this category, it's likely to dominate backbar space in the future. That said, legacy products like cigarettes and cigars won’t disappear overnight. But as older consumers age out of the category and are not replaced by younger smokers, smokeless products will become the primary growth engine for c-stores. CSN
2025 TOBACCO & NICOTINE REGULATORY UPDATE
The landscape has been full of court actions and legislative proposals
By David Spross, NATO
2025 HAS PROVEN to be a dynamic year in the tobacco and nicotine regulatory landscape — full of changes, court actions and legislative proposals.
Since the Trump administration took office in January, there have been significant developments at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). There is new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took office and Dr. Marty Makary became FDA commissioner.
In late March, the administration made sweeping changes at CTP, removing the director, Dr. Brian King, and gutting many other departments. Since then, Bret Koplow will be temporarily filling the role of director. Koplow has worked in various roles for the FDA since 2011, including most recently as senior counselor to the FDA commissioner.
With these developments, many see this as an opportunity for FDA/CTP to reset and streamline its operations. Rather than focus on banning certain tobacco
products — and with hundreds of thousands of nicotine product premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) still pending before the agency, particularly in the vapor and nicotine pouch spaces — FDA has an opportunity to provide adult cigarette consumers with more authorized product choices that potentially present less risk.
Coupled with PMTA authorizations, there is also an opportunity for the agency to provide retailers with more transparency, specifically with respect to information on illicit products in the vapor and nicotine pouch categories, and increase enforcement efforts against these products.
On the federal regulatory front this year, shortly after President Trump took office, the FDA withdrew two proposed rules that would have banned the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Both rules were pursued by the previous administration.
Court Actions
The U.S. Supreme Court in 2025 has also heard cases regarding FDA’s PMTA process.
In June, the court ruled 7-2 in favor of R.J. Reynolds in FDA v. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co., which examined where companies can legally challenge PMTA decisions. In this case, R.J. Reynolds, a Texas retail store and a Mississippi trade association challenged the PMTA denial of Vuse Alto, Vibe and Solo Menthol. In its decision, the Supreme
Court held that this case could proceed in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals because the retailer petitioners, which were “adversely affected” by the denial, have principal places of business within the Fifth Circuit.
This was the second Supreme Court ruling on the PMTA process as earlier this year, the court unanimously (9-0) ruled largely in favor of FDA in FDA v. Wages & White Lion Investments LLC, which examined whether FDA unlawfully denied PMTAs for flavored e-cigarette products because the agency had changed its standard for evaluating such products in the middle of the review process and acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” in denying certain applications.
State Legislation
Most states have wrapped up their regular legislative sessions. Prior to adjourning, some states turned to increased tobacco and nicotine taxes for varying reasons, including to fill budget deficits, fund programs and capture new revenue sources from nicotine pouches.
In total, 10 states have hiked tobacco or nicotine excise taxes. The following is a rundown of some of these increases and why the states acted:
products — for packages with 20 consumable units or less, an excise tax of 65 cents per can; for packages with more than 20 consumable units, a tax of 3.25 cents per consumable unit.
Rhode Island: Realizing that nicotine pouches were not in the taxation definition of OTP, Rhode Island lawmakers expanded this taxation category. As a result, nicotine pouches in the state will be taxed at the OTP rate of 80%.
Tennessee: Coming into this year, Tennessee was one of 18 states that did not have an excise tax on vapor products. As of July 1, it now taxes these products at 10% of the wholesale price.
A continuing emerging issue in the states is the creation of state vapor product directories. After last year’s sessions, 10 states were in the process of creating state vapor directories. Twenty additional states considered legislation in 2025, with Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee passing directories. The introduction of these bills has been in response to the uncertainty around the PMTA process and the proliferation of illicit flavored disposable e-cigarettes on the market.
Indiana: In April, with only a few weeks remaining in their legislative session, Indiana legislators realized they were facing a $2.4 billion deficit. To help address this, lawmakers turned to tobacco and nicotine and applied a significant “across the board” approach, increasing the cigarette tax from $1 to $3 per pack; other tobacco products (OTP) from 24% to 30% of the wholesale price; moist snuff from 40 cents to 50 cents per ounce; nicotine pouches from 40 cents to 50 cents per ounce; closed system vapor cartridges from 15% to 30% of the wholesale price; and vapor consumable material (open systems) from 15% to 30% at retail.
Oregon: Looking to provide funding for a wildlife prevention program, Oregon legislators enacted a new tax on oral nicotine
The FDA has not completed processing applications for thousands of e-cigarettes and has only approved the marketing of 34 vapor products, making it unclear to retailers and the public of the regulatory status of a large number of products, such as those for which a PMTA was never filed, those for which a PMTA was timely filed and the application is awaiting an order, and those for which a PMTA was denied but the application remains pending for legal reasons.
These bills create a state-based directory that requires e-cigarette manufacturers to submit information to state tobacco regulators demonstrating that any e-cigarette being sold in the state is in compliance with FDA regulations and guidance.
Also this year, Massachusetts and Nevada considered bills that would create a “nicotine-free generation.” This issue first appeared on the local level where several Massachusetts towns have banned the sale of tobacco and nicotine products to anyone born after a certain date.
NATO has been leading engagement efforts to inform stakeholders that these misinformed policies are not about youth; they instead target adults 21 and older who should have the right to choose which legal products they purchase and use. CSN
David Spross is executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, a national retail trade association that represents more than 66,000 stores throughout the country.
David Spross
CONVENIENCE CHANNEL TOBACCO TRENDS
FIVE-YEAR TREND: CIGARETTES
WHERE C-STORE
SHOPPERS
PURCHASE TOBACCO IN A TYPICAL MONTH
Cigarette sales and unit volume experienced their largest drop in the last five years.
Source: Convenience Store News 2025 Industry Report
FIVE-YEAR TREND: OTHER TOBACCO
OTP unit volume also declined in 2024, but the drop was less than the previous year.
Source: Convenience Store News 2025 Industry Report
PRODUCTS WHY SHOPPERS DON'T BUY TOBACCO ITEMS AT C-STORES
The price at c-stores is too high
C-stores don’t offer a good selection
Don't trust the quality at c-stores
C-stores don't offer sales/promotions
Perceived
Source: Convenience Store News 2025 Realities of the Aisle Study
While convenience is still the go-to channel for tobacco purchases, the past year saw dollar, mass and club stores make some headway.
Source: Convenience Store News 2025 Realities of the Aisle Study
2025 MIDYEAR REPORT CARD
Hoping for a Soft Landing
The first half of the year revealed signs of trouble, but it’s unclear what the second half will bring
By Angela Hanson
AT THE MIDPOINT OF 2024, the state of the convenience store industry was clear: following a period of continually rising prices that masked warning signs for category sales, consumers had hit their limit and begun cutting back on what they were willing or able to spend.
The outlook for 2025 is less clear. At first glance, things look fairly grim as a slight majority of key categories saw both dollar sales and unit volume go negative during the first half of the year and the remaining ones turned in mixed performances.
Yet it would be a mistake to say things are getting worse across the board. Some categories stayed negative yet slowed down their rate of sales decline, and some individual segments saw striking improvement. The big question that retailers need to consider is whether the industry is
coasting to a soft landing or if there is significant turbulence still ahead.
Not even U.S. economic experts can predict what’s coming down the pike in the second half of 2025 with real assurance. “Uncertainty is pervasive,” National Retail Federation (NRF) Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz recently said, citing the “many crosscurrents” that surround tariffs, immigration and deregulation.
“It was difficult to judge how policy changes would impact the economy in early 2025 and it remains so now,” he said in the July edition of NRF’s “Monthly Economic Review.”
The good news is that economic fundamentals “appear solid,” according to Kleinhenz. Additionally, core retail sales and personal income were up as of May, and the labor market beat expectations in June. Meanwhile, market research and advisory firm Circana reported that pricing remains largely stable with limited impact from tariffs as of June, while consumer sentiment improved somewhat but remains cautious.
Time will tell whether 2025 will end on a high note or if this is the calm before the storm, but savvy c-store retailers should be planning and strategizing for either outcome.
The exclusive Convenience Store News 2025 Midyear Report Card, compiled in partnership with NielsenIQ, looks at dollar sales and unit volume metrics for January through June 2025 to evaluate which c-store product categories are gaining vs. losing amidst today’s challenges.
The State of Cigarettes
Convenience store industry sales of cigarettes continued a multiyear decline in 2024. Dollar sales decreased 4.6% year over year, marking the largest drop in the last five years — for the second year in a row. Unit volume fell even more, dropping 9.1%.
The first half of 2025 saw cigarette sales still in the red, yet the decline slowed with category dollar sales falling just 2.7% year over year and unit volume falling 7.7%.
The economy/value segment was a bright spot in the first half with growth in both dollar sales (up 10.8%) and unit volume (up 8.5%), reversing the declines of a year ago. This suggests cigarette consumers are cutting their spending in response to current or anticipated economic challenges. Midlevel and premium/super premium cigarettes both saw dollar sales and unit volume decreases, with premium/super premium posting the bigger drop in units.
The State of OTP
Other tobacco products (OTP) had a mixed performance in 2024 as dollar sales in the category increased 2.9%, but unit volume decreased 2.6%.
During the first half of 2025, dollars and units remained split, yet the category saw overall improvement. Dollar sales growth increased to 5.8% year over year, while unit volume stayed largely flat at just a 0.3% drop.
Smokeless tobacco alternatives experienced the most growth in both dollars and units. The papers and pipe/cigarette tobacco segments also saw increases in both metrics. Conversely, all other segments saw both dollar sales and unit volume decline. Smokeless posted the biggest decrease in dollar sales and tied with vaping products for the largest unit volume decline.
The State of Packaged Beverages
Packaged beverages saw a steep drop in performance in 2024 with unit volume dropping 3.2%, the category’s largest decline in the last five years, and dollar sales steady at 0.4% growth.
CIGARETTES
OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS
PACKAGED BEVERAGES
BEER & MALT BEVERAGES
Source: NielsenIQ, June 2025
The first half of 2025 saw some improvement. Dollar sales increased 1.9%, while unit volume decreased just 1.2%. Still, most segments saw both dollars and units decline.
Bucking the trend, the energy drinks segment was both the top seller and the best performer, posting 8.9% growth in dollars and 6.6% growth in units. Enhanced water also grew in dollar sales and was slightly positive in unit volume.
The State of Beer & Malt Beverages
Beer and malt beverage sales last year reversed course on the category’s previous modest gains with dollar sales decreasing 0.8% and unit volume falling 1.5%.
During the first half of 2025, mixed segment performance resulted in an overall sales decrease with dollar sales falling 2% year over year and unit volume falling 2.2%. Nonalcoholic beer experienced the most growth despite remaining a small segment.
Alcoholic cider, alcoholic seltzer and premium plus/super premium beer also saw varying degrees of growth in both dollars and units. Conversely, budget/value, unflavored malt liquor and premium beer saw both dollar and unit decreases. Imported beer and microbrews/craft posted negative dollar sales but slight growth in unit volume.
The State of Candy
The candy category in 2024 saw the biggest declines in the last five years for both dollar sales and unit volume. Dollars fell 2.5% and units fell 6.8%.
Category performance improved slightly during the first half of 2025, but stayed negative with dollar sales down 1.7% and units down 6.5%. The novelties segment was the only one to post increases in both dollar sales and unit volume.
Nonchocolate bars/packs, repackaged peg candy, seasonal candy and gum were negative in both dollars and units. Dollar sales of chocolate bars/packs and breath mints increased by less than a point each, but both segments declined in unit volume.
The State of Salty Snacks
Following three years of double-digit growth in convenience stores, the salty snacks category saw dollar sales fall 0.9% in 2024, while unit volume fell 5.9%.
Dollar sales worsened during the first half of 2025, falling 4.3% for the total c-store industry, while the decline in unit volume was nearly the same as 2024 at 5.8%.
CANDY
SALTY SNACKS
EDIBLE GROCERY
Source: NielsenIQ, June 2025
Across the category, all segments saw negative results for both dollars and units during the first half. Potato chips experienced the biggest loss in dollar sales, dropping 6.8%, while packaged ready-to-eat popcorn saw the biggest loss in unit volume, down 8.1%.
The State of Grocery
Edible grocery sales continued to slow in 2024 with dollar sales increasing 2.8% and unit volume increasing 0.4%.
That performance didn’t last into 2025. During the first half of this year, dollar sales fell 2.4% and unit volume fell 4.9%.
The breakfast cereal, condiments and other edible grocery segments were negative in both dollars and units. Water/beverage enhancers was the only segment to post growth across the board. Packaged coffee/tea saw dollar sales grow 1.7%, but unit volume fell 4.5%.
Nonedible grocery sales also slowed in 2024, dropping into negative territory for both dollar sales (down 0.4%) and unit volume (down 0.8%). That slowdown continued into the first half of 2025 as dollar sales fell 2% and unit volume fell 5.3%.
Unlike edible grocery, all nonedible grocery segments were negative across the board in the first half of this year. The other nonedible grocery segment saw the biggest drop in dollar sales, while household care items saw the biggest drop in unit volume.
The State of General Merchandise
General merchandise sales in the convenience channel continued to decline in 2024 for the second year in a row with dollar sales falling 2.5%. Total industry unit volume decreased 4.8%, marking little change from the previous year’s 5-point drop.
The category improved during the first half of 2025, with dollar sales still negative but slowing to a 1.2% decrease. Unit volume fared better with sales rising 0.3%.
Seasonal was the only segment to post growth in both dollars (up 5.7%) and units (up 37.5%) during the first half. School/office supplies, video/ audio tapes, wearables/apparel and other general merchandise were up in dollar sales but down in unit volume. Conversely, the floral segment was up in unit volume but down in dollar sales.
The State of Health & Beauty Care
The health and beauty care (HBC) category saw mixed c-store results in 2024, with dollar sales slowing to 2.2% growth, down from 5% the previous year. Unit volume decreased 3.1%, up from a 0.7% decrease the previous year.
Category sales were just as mixed during the first half of 2025 with HBC dollar sales up 2.3% and unit volume down 1.9%. Only vitamins/supplements grew in both dollars and units.
Several other HBC segments were negative in both dollars and units. Cosmetics, family planning, grooming aids and personal hygiene items saw dollar sales rise but unit volume fall. CSN
NONEDIBLE GROCERY
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE
Source: NielsenIQ, June 2025
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Pilot Looks to the Future With New Flagship Site
PILOT TRAVEL CENTERS is on a mission to equip drivers with everything they need to recharge and hit the road ready for what’s ahead. To that end, expanding into new communities and modernizing its locations are key to the chain’s strategy.
Over the past few months, the travel center operator has made impactful progress across its network with widespread store modernizations, expanding services and the introduction of a new, 20,000-square-foot flagship store. Located in Stanton, Tenn., the site is now the largest travel center in Pilot’s network and will inspire future projects, Shannon Stone, director of store modernization for the Knoxville, Tenn.-based company, told Convenience Store News.
“We designed every detail of our new Stanton location to help drivers refresh, refuel and hit the road ready for whatever comes next. With a bold, brand-forward design, we elevated everything drivers look for in a stop to ensure their time with us is seamless and energizing,” she said.
Some of the most exciting aspects of the new design are:
• Increased parking and intuitive navigation.
• Bright, red entryways that welcome guests into the store, tying back to the chain’s signature red canopy color. Red accents carry through the interior, making it easy for drivers to find core amenities such as restrooms, showers and lounges.
• Enhanced outdoor and indoor lighting to create a welcoming and well-lit space.
• Elevated food offerings, from freshly prepared meals to quick grab-and-go options to branded favorites like Cinnabon and Subway.
• An updated beverage experience that brings form and function together, with a more seamless flow that makes it easier for guests to grab their favorite drink quickly.
“This concept didn’t come together overnight. It represents years of planning, innovation and modernization. It’s a culmination of lessons learned and improvements made across hundreds of new stores and remodels in our network,” Stone said. “The Stanton location serves as the debut of this evolution, with new design elements and features that will inspire future remodels and upcoming locations.”
The flagship site is part of Pilot’s overarching New Horizons project, an over-$1 billion modernization initiative focused on transforming stores across its network. Since the program’s launch in January 2022, the company has completed remodels at more than 200 of its Pilot, Flying J and One9 travel centers.
While each travel center is unique, the signature elements Pilot introduced in Stanton — updated branding, open layouts and modern amenities — will be incorporated into future new builds and remodels. According to Stone, the company’s goal is for every travel center in its network to feel familiar and welcoming.
The Stanton location also serves as a testing ground for ideas to see which resonate most with its guests, helping the retailer refine and elevate the experience across all its locations.
“We want to make Pilot the travel center of choice for everyone who loves the open road. Each remodel and new build contributes to the growing momentum of our brand, driven by positive feedback from guests and team members,” said Stone.
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